Fadnavis says news is heartening for families of security personnel who were martyred fighting against anti-national naxal activities
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who also heads the home department, has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the acquittal of Prof GN Saibaba, who was charged for having links with Maoists and helping them directly.
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Fadnavis said that the development was “heartening for the families of security personnel who were martyred fighting against anti-national naxal activities”. “The acquittal by the high court was shocking and surprising. There is evidence to establish that he directly helped Maoists. And yet he was released on technical grounds of delayed permission for prosecution,” he said.
Saibaba and others had been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Sessions Court at Gadchiroli, Maharashtra in March 2017 for offences under various sections of UAPA and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code for alleged association with Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), which was alleged to be an affiliate of outlawed Maoist organisation.
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The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday had acquitted Saibaba, after which the Maharashtra Government moved the apex court, which stayed the release of Saibaba and others. The SC bench of Justices MR Shah and Bela M Trivedi said: “We are of the firm opinion that the impugned judgment of the High Court is required to be suspended.”
Fadnavis said that the government moved the SC immediately, because the acquittal was very painful for the martyrs’ families. “We will continue with our legal fight in the Supreme Court,” he added.
Protests erupt in Delhi, 40 detained
The police on Saturday detained around 40 students and teachers protesting at the Delhi University’s Arts Faculty without permission to press for the release of former professor GN Saibaba. The All India Students’ Association, however, claimed the number of detainees is higher, and also alleged the protesting students and teachers were “beaten up and manhandled” by the police.
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