GN Saibaba, DU professor cleared of Naxal links after 10-year ordeal, dies – Times of India

HYDERABAD: Barely seven months after he was acquitted of links with Maoists by Bombay HC, which called the trial a “failure of justice”, former DU professor GN Saibaba died on Saturday evening at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences Hopital. Doctors said he was admitted for removal of gallstones and died of post-surgery complications.
The 57-year-old wheelchair-bound teacher and activist spent more than seven years in prison after his first arrest in May 2014. He was acquitted by the HC in March. “When I went to prison, I had no illness other than my disability. Now my heart is 55% functional…liver, gallbladder and pancreas are also affected,” he said upon his release.
Sai’s struggle began at age 5 and never ended, friends say
Acquitting him, the Nagpur bench of Bombay High Court had called the trial a “failure of justice” and pointed to the lack of sanctions UAPA to prosecute him. It also said the prosecution had failed to establish the seizure of incriminating material from his home.
“When I went to prison, I had no ailments other than my disability. Now my heart is only 55% functional and I am dealing with muscle complications. My liver, gallbladder and pancreas are also affected. My right hand is partially functional. My doctor says I need multiple surgeries,” he had told reporters after his release on March 6.
“I couldn’t go to the prison hospital. There was no disabled access ramp at all in the prison, no separate toilets. I was always physically lifted for my toilet and bathing needs. How can anyone live like this?” he had said. Saibaba was kept in the ‘anda cell’ (solitary confinement) in Nagpur Central Jailwhich, he said, also affected him mentally.

Investigating agencies came across Saibaba’s name, reportedly after the arrest of a JNU student who claimed to have acted as a courier between the professor and Maoists hiding in the forests of Abujhmarh in Chhattisgarh. Saibaba was arrested by the Maharashtra police for allegedly conspiring to wage war against the nation, besides violations of the Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA). A court in Gadchiroli convicted him of the charges and awarded him life imprisonment in 2017. After a lengthy legal battle, he was acquitted by the Supreme Court.
“Saibaba played a key role in several people’s movements such as pro-reservation protests in 1989-90, the democratic rights of prisoners in 1993, the movement in support of Adivasi rights, and several others. Though he was from Andhra Pradesh, he led a major public meeting in 1997 in support of the formation of a separate Telangana,” said K. Ravi Chander, president of Forum Against Repression, who had known Saibaba for 35 years.
Saibaba was born in Anakapalli in AP. After his graduation, he continued his postgraduate studies at the University of Hyderabad. He worked as an English professor at Delhi University until he was arrested. After being released from jail, he underwent medical treatment in Delhi for various health complications – a result of his prolonged stay in jail. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
His friends and colleagues remembered Saibaba, whom they affectionately called Sai, as a warrior. “He contracted polio when he was five years old. That is when his struggle began and never ended,” said Nandita Narain, former professor at St. Stephen’s College. “I met him when I was elected to the DU Executive Council from 1996 to 2000. He came to my house with his wife once when he didn’t have a wheelchair. He was just dragging himself along, but had a big smile on his face.”
Narain added, “Those ten years in prison left him completely broken. He was thrown around and dragged when he was arrested. When we last counted, he had 21 conditions. They did this to him because he spoke out on issues that no one was talking about. They wanted to crush his voice. He still had the determination. In prison he taught prisoners.” She also recalled, “When he came out of prison, he made pickles with lemons from Medak himself and gave them to me. He said it would be good for my health.”
Saibaba had a strong presence and he ran things, recalls Karen Gabriel, assistant principal at St. Stephen’s. “We had common problems that we fought against, such as land grabbing, illegal mining, etc., and we became good friends.”
Gabriel said Saibaba had never been vulnerable. “Then we saw how vulnerable they made him in prison. He was barely able to lift his right arm when he left prison. His organs were damaged,” she said. “I spoke to his family and they are in a mess.”
(With inputs from Meghna Dhulia)