Bombay High Court quashes professor Saibaba’s bail plea

Confined to wheelchair, Saibaba is currently lodged in Nagpur’s Central Prison.

Saibaba is currently lodged in Nagpur’s Central Prison. ( Express archive )

The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court on Monday rejected the bail application of Delhi University professor G N Saibaba, who is behind bars since May for alleged Maoist links.

According to government pleader Bharti Dangre, a bench of Justice Sunil Shukre, while rejecting Saibaba’s argument that he couldn’t be branded a Maoist or a sympathiser only on the basis of resemblance between his social activism and Maoist ideology, said prima facie case existed against him for involvement in Maoist activities as a prominent leader.

Saibaba also cited physical disability as grounds for bail. That too wasn’t held valid by the court, said Dangre. The academic’s lawyer Surendra Gadling said, “We argued that mere resemblance of social activism to Maoist ideology isn’t ground enough to brand him a sympathiser or a Maoist. Also, we said police don’t have sufficient material to substantiate their claims.”

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On court’s rejection of the disability argument, Gadling said, “The court accepted the police argument that he was being provided adequate assistance facilities and medicines.”

Saibaba was arrested by Gadchiroli police in May. His arrest followed interrogation of two alleged Maoists, Hem Mishra and Prashant Rahi, who were nabbed earlier. Police claim the duo led them to Saibaba. Notably, Rahi was granted bail on Monday.

A lot of material, including pen drives and hard disks, were recovered from Saibaba’s house. Police claim they contain clear evidence of his involvement in Maoist activities as a prominent leader co-ordinating urban and international activities of the banned CPI (Maoist).

Confined to wheelchair, Saibaba is currently lodged in Nagpur’s Central Prison.

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