Former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba acquitted in Maoist links case, court orders his immediate release

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has acquitted former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba in Maoist links case and ordered his immediate release from Nagpur Central Jail. The order was passed by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court.

Saibaba was first arrested in the case in 2014. The landmark verdict was announced today by allowing Saibaba's plea in the High Court against the 2017 trial court verdict that found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Apart from Saibaba, the court allowed the appeal of five other accused and acquitted them. Mahesh Tirkey, Pandu Pora Narote, Hem Keshavdatta Mishra, Prashant Rahi and Vijay Nan Tirki were acquitted. Of these, Pandu Narote died last year.

Saibaba, who is 55-year-old, is wheelchair-bound due to a physical disability.

In 2017, the Gadchiroli Sessions Court convicted them by pointing out that they had Maoist links and that the accused did acts of war declaration on the country. Various sections including UAPA were charged against them.