Human rights defender G.N. Saibaba acquitted of all charges and released from jail

On 7 March 2024 human rights defender G. N. Saibaba was released from Nagpur Central Jail after nearly a decade of imprisonment. Two days prior, on 5 March 2024, the human rights defender was acquitted of all charges by the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court paving the way for his release.

G.N. Saibaba is a Delhi University Professor and human rights defender who has been a vocal advocate for the rights of dalit and indigenous communities especially in the mineral rich states of India where local communities are subjected to repeated violations by state and corporate interests. He was arrested in 2014, falsely accused of having links with banned Maoist organizations, and convicted in 2017 of serious charges including under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

In October 2022, G.N. Saibaba was acquitted by the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court following an appeal against his 2017 conviction. In a bid to prevent his release, the State appealed the acquittal before the Supreme Court which granted a stay order against the decision of the Nagpur High Court. In January 2023 the Supreme Court ordered the Nagpur High Court to re-hear the appeal against conviction. Hearings in this case commenced in June 2023 and concluded in September 2023. On 5 March 2024 the High Court delivered its judgment acquitting G. N. Saibaba for the second time resulting in his release on 7 March.

The human rights defender suffers multiple serious medical conditions including 90% permanent physical disability as a result of post-polio residual paralysis, a heart condition, hypertension and a brain cyst. His health deteriorated severely during nearly a decade of incarceration due to the repeated lack of medical care and specialized treatment. The release on 7 March is a much needed relief to the human rights defender and his family who have campaigned for years seeking his release and access to medical treatment.