The DU Professor, G.N. Saibaba, alleged and arrested for Maoist links in May, 2014, has been granted bail. The bench led by Justice J.S. Kehar, also fired at the Maharashtra government who had tried to convince the authorities to do otherwise. What started with the arrest of Prashant Rahi (a journalist) and Hem Mishra (a student), eventually led to the professor’s arrest. Here’s an overlook at the timeline of G.N. Saibaba’s case:
14th September, 2013
Maharashtra cops search his house, claiming he had info about Maoist leaders hiding in the forests of Abuj Maad in Chhattisgarh.
Agencies claim Saibaba had been associated with an organisation called the Revolutionary Democratic Front which is considered to be a front outfit for the CPI (Maoist).
He acknowledged knowing JNU student Hem Mishra, who was arrested by the Maharashtra Police for alleged links with Maoists, but denied giving him any coded chip.
18th September, 2013
The president of the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) wrote to the Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde seeking his intervention.
10th May, 2014
The Professor was arrested by the Maharashtra police to be produced before a court in Aheri town of Gadchiroli from the University Campus; seized hard-drives, chips serving as evidences.
16th May, 2014
After a recommendation from the Ram Lal Anand College itself, the Professor was suspended by the University. While DUSU and ABVP stood for the motion, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) The Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity Association spoke against the violation of his rights.
28th May, 2014
Investigation revealed that professor was affiliated with some prominent persons from Pune and guide movements of the ‘Urban Maoist Fronts’.
3rd June, 2014
The Professor’s family received an eviction notice from the University to vacate his Gwyer Hall residence. The notice asked Saibaba and his family to vacate the house on the grounds of “unauthorised possession of the premises in question since March 31, 2010 due to the absence of any valid agreement in the eyes of the law.” DUTA President, Nandita Narain consulted with the Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh.
14th June, 2014
Principal and Sessions Judge of Aheri in Gadchiroli, D R Shirasav, rejected the bail plea application of G N Saibaba.
19th June, 2015
The wheelchair-ridden Professor, then lodged in the Nagpur Central Jail, went through a medical examination.
20th June, 2015
Neurosurgeon Pramod Giri, who conducted a check-up of G.N. Saibaba declared that he did not need a surgery and was referred to a neuro-physician for his shoulder and neck pain.
1st July, 2015
The professor was granted bail by the Bombay High Court for three months, owing to his medical conditions.
21st November, 2015
The Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court asked the government lawyer and G N Saibaba’s lawyer about why they had not objected to the Mumbai bench taking up his case and sought transfer of the case to Nagpur. Earlier in the year, the Nagpur bench comprising Justice Shukre (who later moved to the Mumbai bench) had rejected Saibaba’s bail plea “on merit”.
24th November, 2015
Justice A.B. Chaudhari of the Nagpur Bench raised questions over the intervention of the bench taking over and giving out decisions. Asked what determines such actions.
24th December, 2015
The professor was asked to surrender within 48 hours or face arrest following the resentment by The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court who believed that there was no need to interfere with an order refusing him bail earlier and that too when, his affiliation with the Maoists was based on solid evidences.
25th December, 2015
Delhi University Professors, activists and writers protested against the rejection of his bail. His wife, G Vasantha spoke against the order, saying she wanted to file a case against the “system”.
23rd February, 2016
The Supreme Court ordered the Maharashtra Government to provide basic medical facilities to the professor and asked the counsel for Saibaba to file an exemption plea.
Shreya Srivastava
Image Credits: http://static.indianexpress.com/
Sadiq Mobeen[/caption]
Based on the significant work of student volunteers from around the planet, the WSEN has been alive for the past 6 years through its online platforms and especially its energising student-led annual event, the WSEN Global Summit (known till 2013 as World Student Environmental Summit – WSES). Organised each year by students for students at a different university in a different country, this Summit represents so far the core activity and impact of the WSEN.
Each time, supported by the International Committee (previous Summit organisers and volunteers and representatives of the General Assemblies), the local student organisers welcome for a week, delegations of students from 30 to 40 universities of the WSEN network, to discuss thoroughly and plan local sustainability projects at universities and beyond .
This year, around 65 countries are participating all around the world; and from India, Integral University, Lucknow , Aligarh Muslim University , Indian Institute of Management Culcutta, and now, owing to Sadiq, Delhi University has also made it to the prestigious summit. Sadiq Mobeen says, “For the selection process, we have to first mail to the organizers. After this, they would ask about a Professor’s recommendation and then they send details to the recommending Professor. Next, we have to write 5 essays about our work in the University and then, finally, a Skype interview.”
Excited regarding the prospects of the summit, he adds, “I am going to present a presentation on the topic sustainability regarding my awareness of the slum areas near the South Campus, and how environmental psychology would help in maintaining the sustainability.
Shreya Srivastava
