'He was healthy enough to aid Maoists, so he's healthy for lifer'

Professor GN SaibabaThe Gadchiroli sessions court hearing the case of Delhi University professor GN Saibaba involved in Maoist activity convicted him and five others for their active role under several sections of UAPA Judge Suryakant Shinde convicted Mahesh Tirki Pandu Narote Hem Mishra Prashant Sanglikar and Saibaba to life imprisonmentAlso read Suspended DU Prof G N Saibaba 5 others convicted for links with MaoistsInvestigating officer Suhas Bawche while interrogating Mishra and Sanglikar received information about Saibabas involvement on the basis of which he moved court for permission to search his Delhi residence During the search electronic evidence videos literature and pictures related to Maoist activity were found and Saibaba was arrestedCourt observationsThe court observed The Maoist movements impact on people at large must be taken into account When one person dies it is a tragedy when thousands die its a statisticAll six are active members of the banned CPI Maoist and its frontal organisation RDF which carries the infamous slogan Naxalbari Ek Hi Rasta The prosecution has proved that all six conspired to carry out illegal and violent activities of CPI M and RDF Hence Saibaba being 90 per cent disabled is no ground to show him leniency though he is physically handicapped he is mentally fit Due to the violent activities of the six Gadchiroli continues to be paralysed with no industrial and other development taking place there because of fear of Naxalism it noted while convicting the sixIn this case Life imprisonment also isnt a stringent enough punishment but the hands of the court are tied with the mandate of sections 18 and 20 of the UAPAAfter the verdict bail bond of the six who were out was cancelled and they were taken into custody Saibabas family members said they might move high court soon for his bailKin shockedSpeaking to midday Saibabas brother Dr G Ramadevudu said It is an unexpected judgment I was regularly attending the hearing and I am sure the court has not taken into account the defences arguments I had a talk with Saibabas wife Vasantha and she too is shocked She is saying it is a strategy of the BJP government which is trying to suppress his voice This judgment was planned by the governmentAfter the judgment we asked for minimum requirements to be given to him in jail We asked for assistance for his movement inside and special food as advised by doctors for his pancreas problem The doctors recently asked him to get operated on in two weeks we are waiting for an order to be passed on it he addedVasanta said Our advocates will move high court soon This judgment is shocking In the states history this is the first case in which all those chargesheeted have been convicted under all sections and sentenced to life It seems the state and central governments put a lot of pressure on the judiciary to implement antipeople and undemocratic policies at the behest of corporates and MNCs They want to openly push RSSs agenda by putting people like Saibaba behind bars