GN Saibaba sentenced to life imprisonment

Delhi University professor GN Saibaba has been sentenced to life imprisonment for alleged Maoist links and plotting against India. Five others, including Jawaharlal Nehru University student Hem Mishra and former journalist Prashant Rahi, have also been convicted by Gadchiroli principal district and sessions court.

The accused have been convicted under sections 13, 18, 20, 38 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, by Judge SS Shinde.

Earlier in the day, public prosecutor (PP) Prashant Sathianathan had argued that no relief should be given to Saibaba on account of him being 90 per cent disabled. He argued that Saibaba should be awarded life imprisonment under section 20 of the act.  The professor’s handicap has not proved to be an obstacle in aiding and abating violent activities that claimed many lives and also in organising and facilitating international activities, argued Sathianathan. To this Saibaba’s lawyer had replied that they were “prepared for everything”.

Maharashtra Police had arrested Saibaba, a member of the Ram Lal College English department faculty, in May 2014. He was accused of having links with Communist party of India (Maoist), an organisation which was banned in 2009. Citing his arrest in the case, the university had suspended him in May 2014. Last year in June, Bombay High Court had granted him bail.