NEW DELHI: Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi on Monday recused from hearing an appeal filed by social activist Gautam Navlakha , who has challenged the Bombay High Court’s judgment declining to quash Pune police’s FIR against him in connection with the Koregaon Bhima violence in January 2018.

The CJI made known his decision to recuse from the case the moment it was called for hearing before the bench, which also comprised Justices S A Bobde and S Abdul Nazeer. Appearing for Navlakha, senior advocate A M Singhvi requested urgent listing of the appeal on the ground that the three-week protection from arrest granted by the HC would end on October 4. The CJI assured Singhvi that the appeal would be listed for hearing either on Tuesday or Thursday.

Pune police had registered an FIR against Navlakha and other activists for their alleged role in inciting violence in Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 2018. Navlakha had moved the Bombay HC for quashing of the FIR. A division bench of the HC comprising Justices Ranjit More and Bharati Dangre went through additional material furnished in sealed cover by the public prosecutor and dismissed Navlakha’s petition.

However, on the request of his counsel, the HC had ordered that Pune police will not arrest Navlakha for three weeks.

