Overview

• A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi refused to entertain the application and suggested approaching the trial court for relief.
• Rao sought leave to relocate to Hyderabad citing deteriorating health, the absence of his wife who moved there, and medical costs exceeding his pension.
• After the bench expressed disinclination, his counsel withdrew the plea and the Supreme Court recorded it as dismissed as withdrawn.
• Rao has been on medical bail since August 2022, when the Supreme Court granted release after about 2.5 years in custody with conditions including not leaving Greater Mumbai without the Special NIA Court’s permission, avoiding contact with witnesses, and keeping the NIA informed about treatment.
• Proceedings in the Bhima Koregaon case remain at the Section 207 CrPC stage under the UAPA probe tied to the 2017 Elgar Parishad event, and the trial is not expected to conclude soon.