Maoist links case: Ex-DU professor Saibaba, 6 others acquitted
What's the story
The Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench on Tuesday acquitted former Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba and six others accused in an alleged Maoist links case.
It set aside a 2017 Nagpur sessions court order convicting them for "indulging in activities amounting to waging war against the country."
Others acquitted include Hem Mishra, Mahesh Tirkey, Vijay Tirkey, Narayan Sanglikar, Prashant Rahi, and Pandu Narote (deceased).
Context
Why does this story matter?
The disabled ex-professor appealed against the sessions court verdict at the Bombay HC, arguing charges were framed without the central government's sanction under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The HC acquitted him in 2022, but the Maharashtra government approached the Supreme Court, which suspended the HC's decision a day later.
In 2023, the SC set aside the HC's judgment, remanding it for fresh consideration.
HC order
Accused will be released against Rs. 50,000 bail bond: HC
In its order, the Nagpur Bench said the accused could secure their release from prison by depositing bail bonds of Rs. 50,000 each.
It will remain valid until the Supreme Court decides on the matter, it said.
The bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes delivered the judgment after rehearing the appeal made by Saibaba and the others.
Verdict
What was sessions court's judgment
The earlier verdict of the sessions court in Gadchiroli had convicted Saibaba and six others for alleged Maoist links.
It ruled that the former DU professor and two other accused were in possession of Naxal literature.
They intended to circulate it among underground Naxalites in Gadchiroli and district residents to incite violence, the court added.
Background
7 men arrested in 2013
Saibaba (54) is wheelchair-bound and 99% disabled. He is currently lodged in Nagpur Central Jail.
To recall, the seven accused persons were arrested in 2013 by the Gadchiroli Police over allegations that they were members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) and its frontal group Revolutionary Democratic Front.
Separately, Narote passed away in jail in 2022 after he contracted swine flu.