SC directs daily trial in case against DU professor

The Supreme Court has asked a Maharashtra court handling the case against DU professor G N Saibaba to conduct the trial on a day-to-day basis and finish examining material witnesses in a month. 

A bench of Justices J S Khehar and C Nagappan said on Monday that the apex court would tentatively consider bail after recording statements of eight material witnesses out of 34, in the case registered on his Maoist link with Aheri police station in Gadricholi district in 2013, under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

Appearing for Saibaba, senior advocate R S Cheema said his dwindling health on account of hypertension and kidney stone warranted release on bail, while Maharashtra’s council opposed any relief or shifting him to another jail from Nagpore central prison, accusing Saibaba of protracting the trial. 

Arrested on May 9, 2014, Saibaba was later granted bail on medical grounds.The bail was cancelled in December.

“It is appropriate for the trial court to hold day-to-day trial from March 4, next date of hearing and to examine material witnesses positively by April 4,” the bench said, directing the accused to cooperate in finishing the trial.

Meanwhile, the court placed a petition by author Arundhati Roy challenging the Bombay High Court’s contempt proceedings against her for an article for consideration on July 12.