Maoist Crackdown: SC relief for all 5 arrested activists; next hearing is on September 6

The Supreme Court has directed that all of the accused in the Bhima Koregaon case be held under house arrest until the next date of hearing in the matter which is scheduled for Sept 6th. The court also issued notices to the centre and Maharashtra govt seeking their replies. The SC noted that those under arrest were prominent rights activists and that dissent is the safety valve of a democracy. Meanwhile, the Pune police too briefed the media on the raids conducted pan India. The police said raids were conducted in 9 places and mobiles, laptops, pen drives, gadgets and other incriminating documents were recovered. The Pune police stressed that all accused were involved in unlawful activities.