Nagpur: A day after former Delhi University Professor G N Saibaba and four co-accused in Naxal links case were acquitted by the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court, a blame game ensued at Central Jail on Wednesday evening. Saibaba’s lawyers alleged that despite receiving a confirmation order from the Gadchiroli District Court, he was not released. In contrast, the Jail authorities claimed that they had not received the confirmation order on time.
The High Court acquitted Saibaba and others on Tuesday. Their lawyers visited the Gadchiroli District Court with a copy of the High Court’s order to obtain confirmation from the Trial Court. According to Adv Akash Sorde, Saibaba’s counsel, after receiving the orders, the Trial Court issued the confirmation order at 5.25 pm. Later, the order was emailed to Central Jail Nagpur at 5.30 pm, with a copy also sent to Saibaba’s lawyer.
However, the Central Jail authorities denied receiving any such email until late evening, citing server issues. Saibaba’s wife, Vasantha Kumari, and friends remained at the Central Jail premises until late Wednesday evening. Another lawyer, Adv Nihal Singh Rathod, tried to submit a copy of the request to Central Jail authorities around 7.30 pm, but they refused to accept it. Later, the Central Jail administration confirmed receiving the confirmation order at 6.10 pm, according to Adv Sorde.
The case against Saibaba and five others originated in Gadchiroli district, where Assistant Police Inspector Atul Awad received confidential information about the alleged involvement of Mahesh Tirki and Pandu Narote in banned organisations like CPI(Maoist) and RDF. Consequently, the police initiated surveillance on both individuals. On August 22, 2013, the police detained Mahesh Tirki, Pandu Narote, and Hem Mishra at Aheri Bus Stand based on suspicious activities.
Further investigations revealed Saibaba’s alleged involvement in transmitting anti-national conspiracy information through Mishra to the Naxalite group. Rahi and Vijay Tirki also were implicated in this conspiracy. Subsequently, all six were arrested after registration of a case under relevant sections against them.
On Tuesday, Justice Vinay Joshi and Justice Valmiki SA Menezes declared that the prosecution had failed to substantiate the allegations against the accused. Consequently, Saibaba and others were acquitted by the bench, and the life sentence imposed on the 54-year-old by the Gadchiroli District Court was set aside.
