Bombay High Court Denies Anand Teltumbde Permission to Travel Abroad
The Bombay High Court has denied permission to Dalit rights activist Dr. Anand Teltumbde to travel to the UK and Amsterdam for academic engagements, citing the risk of absconding.
Bombay High CourtAnand TeltumbdeElgar ParishadNiaAcademic TravelReal Estate MaharashtraOct 01, 2025
A bench of Justices Ajey Gadkari and Ranjitsinha Bhonsale noted that he could either deliver the lectures virtually or not go at all. The court took note of the objections raised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that Teltumbde may abscond if allowed to travel to Amsterdam and the United Kingdom. “Give virtual lectures. Or don't go,” the bench remarked.
Teltumbde’s counsel Mihir Desai submitted that he is not invited only for delivering lectures, but also for attending seminars. He also pointed out that in the past, courts had granted permission to accused persons to travel abroad in similar circumstances.
Special counsel Chintan Shah, representing the NIA, strongly opposed the request. He submitted that there was a “likelihood of absconding” and cited instances where wanted accused had fled abroad and sought asylum, complicating extradition efforts.
The bench observed that with the special NIA court having already rejected Teltumbde’s discharge application, the apprehension of flight risk could not be ignored. When Desai said that the appeal against that order was pending before the high court, the judges suggested that he could seek an earlier hearing on the same.
As the court was disinclined, Desai sought to withdraw the plea with liberty to pursue appropriate remedies before a suitable forum.
Teltumbde had sought to travel to the Netherlands and the UK between April and May this year. According to his petition, he had been invited as a visiting scholar by the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Humanities for a four-week program, including lectures, master classes, seminars, and research meetings.
He was also scheduled to deliver a lecture on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on April 14 and attend academic engagements at Nottingham Trent University in the UK.
Despite the academic nature of the visit, the NIA maintained that he posed a risk to the trial proceedings if allowed to leave the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Elgar Parishad–Bhima Koregaon case about?
The Elgar Parishad–Bhima Koregaon case involves allegations of a conspiracy to incite violence and caste-based conflicts. It centers around a peaceful event organized by Dalit rights activists in Bhima Koregaon, Maharashtra, which allegedly led to clashes and violence.
Why did the Bombay High Court deny Anand Teltumbde permission to travel?
The court denied permission due to concerns raised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that Teltumbde might abscond if allowed to travel to the UK and Amsterdam. The NIA cited instances of accused individuals fleeing abroad and seeking asylum, complicating extradition efforts.
What were the academic engagements Teltumbde planned to attend?
Teltumbde was invited as a visiting scholar by the University of Amsterdam’s Faculty of Humanities for a four-week program, including lectures, master classes, seminars, and research meetings. He was also scheduled to deliver a lecture on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on April 14 and attend academic engagements at Nottingham Trent University in the UK.
What was the court's suggestion to Teltumbde?
The court suggested that Teltumbde could either deliver the lectures virtually or not go at all. The bench emphasized the option of virtual participation to mitigate the risk of absconding.
What is the current status of Teltumbde's legal battle?
Teltumbde's counsel sought to withdraw the plea with liberty to pursue appropriate remedies before a suitable forum. The appeal against the rejection of his discharge application is pending before the high court, and he has the option to seek an earlier hearing on the same.
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