Supreme Court stayed former professor Saibaba’s bail
Amaravati: The Supreme Court on Saturday stayed the Bombay High Court’s verdict acquitting former Delhi University professor Saibaba and four accused of having links with Maoists. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Maharashtra government have challenged the Bombay High Court’s verdict acquitting Saibaba in the Supreme Court. A bench comprising Justice M.R. Shah, Justice Bela and M. Trivedi, who conducted a special inquiry into this today, issued these orders. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued in the Supreme Court that Saibaba’s acquittal was not reasonable, citing the lack of prior permission to try Saibaba under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The bench brought to the notice that the High Court had given its judgment only on the basis of technicalities without examining the facts of the case. It was informed that Saibaba did not challenge in the trial court or in any other courts about not getting permission under the UAPA Act. He said that after Saibaba was taken into custody, he applied for bail, but the court refused to grant him bail. The Supreme Court said that it will issue notices for further investigation.
