Supreme Court Sets Aside Bombay High Court's Order Discharging Former DU Professor GN Saibaba Over Maoist Links

The Supreme Court has set aside the Bombay High Court's decision to discharge former Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba and five others who were convicted for having Maoist connections. The case has been sent back to the High Court for reconsideration by a new bench.

The bench comprising of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar ordered the High Court to decide the matter within four months and constitute a new bench for the purpose.

On 15 October 2022, the Supreme Court suspended the High Court's order that discharged Saibaba and others in a case due to the absence of valid sanction for prosecution under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), after hearing an appeal by the Maharashtra government.

While suspending the order of the High Court, the Supreme Court had said that it had not considered the merits of the case, the trial court judgment, or the serious nature of the offences regarding the country's sovereignty and integrity.

Along with Saibaba, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, four others were also discharged, while a sixth accused had already died in August 2022.