HC acquits ex-DU professor G N Saibaba in Maoist links case, allows his appeal against conviction, life term

The wheel-chair bound academic and activist, who was working with Delhi University, was arrested under the UAPA in 2014

Human rights activist and civil rights defender Professor G N Saibaba, who was arrested for alleged links with Maoists, has been acquitted by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday.

The wheel-chair bound academic and activist, who was working with Delhi University, was arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on May 9, 2014 for alleged links with Maoists.

Saibaba, a professor at the Department of English, Ram Lal Anand College, Delhi University, was arrested by the Maharashtra Police. It was alleged that he was an active member of the Delhi University and was arrested by the Gadchiroli district police in May 2014 for his suspected links with the top leaders of CPI (Maoist).

On March 7, 2017, Saibaba along with four others -- Mahesh Tirki, Pandu Narote, Hem Mishra, Prashant Rahi and Vijay Tirki -- were convicted by a sessions court in Gadchiroli.

Narote passed away in jail some time back.

“Great news! Professor GN Saibaba, acquitted of all charges by the Nagpur HC. To be released forthwith. Despite being disabled & in poor health, he was kept in the 'Anda cell' in jail,” tweeted veteran lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan.