Former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba passed away on October 12, 2024, after health issues worsened by his decade-long imprisonment. Acquitted of UAPA charges, he was a noted scholar and human rights activist. His legacy embodies resilience and the fight for justice amidst significant personal and legal struggles throughout his life.
New Delhi: Former Delhi University professor GN Saibaba passed away on October 12, 2024, at a private hospital in Hyderabad, following a long battle with health issues exacerbated by his decade-long imprisonment. Acquitted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Saibaba was a prominent scholar, writer, and human rights activist, whose life journey was marked by resilience and unwavering commitment to justice.
Health Struggles and Imprisonment
At the age of 58, Saibaba was admitted to NIMS, Hyderabad, for complications related to his gall bladder and pancreas and had recently undergone surgery. The toll of his prolonged imprisonment and alleged torture while incarcerated significantly impacted his health. Reflecting on his condition after his release on March 5, 2024, he stated, “Except for the polio that I’ve had since my childhood, I went to jail without any health issues. But today, I am in front of you though alive, each and every organ failing me.”
The Arrest and Legal Battle
Saibaba, an assistant professor at Delhi University’s Ram Lal Anand College, was arrested in May 2014 on allegations of having links with Maoist groups. In June 2015, the Bombay High Court granted him bail on medical grounds, allowing him to be released a month later. However, he was incarcerated again between December 2015 and April 2016 before receiving bail from the Supreme Court.
In March 2017, Saibaba was convicted for alleged connections with the banned Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), linked to the CPI (Maoist). Throughout the trial, he maintained his innocence, denying any affiliation with the banned organization. Alongside Saibaba, several others were also convicted.
His incarceration spurred significant public outcry, leading to a Maoist-sponsored Bharat Bandh on March 29, 2017. In April 2020, a panel from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights called for his release on medical grounds, but this demand was ultimately rejected.
Legal Proceedings and Acquittal
During the trial, the prosecution argued that Saibaba and his co-accused were associated with the CPI (Maoist) through front organizations like the RDF. Evidence presented included pamphlets and electronic materials deemed anti-national, as well as claims that Saibaba had provided a 16GB memory card to Maoists.
In October 2022, the Bombay High Court declared the trial void due to a lack of valid sanction under Section 45(1) of the UAPA, emphasizing that procedural compliance is crucial in terrorism-related cases. However, this ruling was reversed by the Supreme Court, which stated that the charges were serious and required a thorough review.
After a prolonged legal battle, Saibaba and five others were acquitted on October 14, 2022. The Supreme Court later requested a reevaluation of the case, leading to a second acquittal in March 2024, where the court found that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
A Life of Advocacy
Born in 1967 to a poor farming family in Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, Saibaba was 80 percent physically handicapped and used a wheelchair since the age of five. He completed his postgraduate studies in English at the University of Hyderabad and earned his PhD from Delhi University.
Saibaba was also an influential figure in social movements, notably organizing the Mumbai Resistance 2003 alongside the World Social Forum. In 2012, he joined the RDF, which was subsequently banned by the Andhra Pradesh government.
Tragically, while imprisoned, Saibaba was denied the opportunity to attend his mother’s funeral after she passed away from cancer at the age of 74. This deeply personal loss further exemplified the harsh realities faced by those engaged in human rights activism.
Conclusion
GN Saibaba’s journey was one of courage and determination in the face of adversity. His legacy as a scholar and human rights advocate will continue to inspire future generations to fight for justice and human dignity. His life serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many who stand against oppressive systems and seek to uphold the rights of the marginalized.
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