The appeal filed by former Delhi University professor Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba, alias G N Saibaba and his four accomplices against their conviction in a terror activities case is listed before a new bench of Bombay High Court’s Nagpur appellate side. The registry has listed the petition for final hearing before the division bench of Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki Menezes on July 17. The Supreme Court had issued an order to this effect in April of this year.

G N Saibaba’s associates include Mahesh Kariman Tirki, Hem Mishra, Prashant Rahi Narayan Sanglikar, and Vijay Nan Tirki. The fifth accomplice, Pandu Narote had passed away on August 25, 2022, due to illness.

 

Earlier, on October 14, 2022, the High Court bench of Justices Rohit Deo and Anil Pansare had acquitted Saibaba and his four accomplices on a technicality, citing non-compliance with the mandatory provision of seeking approval from a competent authority before filing a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. However, the state government filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging this decision.

On April 19, 2023, the Supreme Court set aside the decision and remanded the case back to the High Court for fresh disposal in accordance with the law. Furthermore, to ensure fairness, it was ordered that the case be completed before a new bench.

 

The case against these accused originated in Gadchiroli district, where Assistant Police Inspector Atul Awad, serving in the Gadchiroli Special Branch, received confidential information regarding the alleged involvement of Mahesh Tirki and Pandu Narote in banned organisations such as CPI (Maoist) and RDF. Consequently, the police began surveillance on both individuals. On August 22, 2013, the police detained Mahesh Tirki, Pandu Narote, and Hem Mishra at Aheri Bus Stand based on suspicious activities. Further investigations revealed Saibaba’s alleged involvement in transmitting anti-national conspiracy information through Mishra to the Naxalite group Narmadakka. Rahi and Vijay Tirki were also implicated in this conspiracy. Subsequently, all six accused were arrested and charged.

The upcoming hearing before Justices Vinay Joshi and Valmiki Menezes of the of the Bombay High Court will determine the fate of the appeal filed by Saibaba and his remaining four associates. The court will examine the evidence and arguments presented by both the prosecution and defence before reaching a decision on the matter.