Fri Apr 04 17:47:32 UTC 2025: ## NIA Opposes Teltumbde’s Travel Plea
**Mumbai, April 4, 2025** – The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is opposing academician Anand Teltumbde’s request to travel abroad for academic engagements. Teltumbde, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case currently out on bail, sought permission from the Bombay High Court to visit the Netherlands and the UK in April and May to deliver lectures on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
The NIA, in an affidavit, argues that Teltumbde, described as a “senior and active member” of the banned CPI (Maoist), poses a flight risk and might seek asylum abroad. They claim his academic positions are being misused for “nefarious activities” and that the lectures could be delivered online. The agency contends that Teltumbde and his co-accused face “serious and heinous charges” related to alleged Maoist ideology propagation.
Teltumbde, in his petition, highlighted several invitations from prestigious universities, including the University of Amsterdam and Oxford University. He emphasized the purely academic nature of his engagements and requested the release of his passport for visa processing.
The matter was mentioned before the Bombay High Court on Thursday but was reassigned to a different bench. Teltumbde was granted bail by the Bombay High Court in November 2022, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. The Elgar Parishad case involves allegations of inflammatory speeches at a 2017 conclave that allegedly incited violence.
First Piper 