Bombay High Court Acquits GN Saibaba in Maoist Link Case

In a landmark decision on Tuesday, the Bombay High Court acquitted former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba and five others in the Maoist link case, overturning the 2017 conviction by a Nagpur sessions court. The bench, comprising justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki SA Menezes, found the prosecution unable to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the acquittal of all accused. This verdict came after the Supreme Court directed a rehearing, overturning a previous acquittal by the high court in October 2022.

The case against Saibaba, a 54-year-old wheelchair-bound professor with a 99 percent disability, centered on allegations of having Maoist links and engaging in activities deemed as waging war against the country. Initially convicted under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other provisions of the Indian Penal Code, this recent judgment has declared the prosecution’s sanction under UAPA as “null and void,” questioning the legal foundation of the initial trial.

While the prosecution has not requested the high court to stay its order, it indicated plans to appeal to the Supreme Court immediately. This development marks a significant moment in GN Saibaba’s legal battle, with the high court’s decision reflecting on the broader issues of human rights and the application of anti-terrorism laws in India.

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