Nagpur: Delhi University professor and alleged Naxal sympathizer GN Saibaba, flanked by his counsel advocate Surendra Gadling and family members, walked back to Nagpur central jail on Friday upon completion of 48-hours deadline set by Nagpur bench of Bombay high court for him earlier this week. Wheelchair-bound Saibaba underlined his returning to jail was not a surrender but respecting the order passed by the judiciary. He indicated seeking justice from highest court would be his next step. As per schedule, Saibaba reached Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar international airport from Delhi before heading to central jail where he had already spent around 14 months before being granted bail on medical grounds for treatment. Saibaba’s bail was subsequently rejected by the high court here. A contempt notice was also issued to novelist Arundhati Roy for her observations against the police machineries for foisting false allegations against Saibaba as a Naxal ideologue and underground campaigner with international links. “My rights were violated as I stand for the rights of others,” said Saibaba, fighting back tears. “Jurisdiction is an internal issue of High court. Why implicate me in a wrangle of jurisdiction,” asked the physically challenged activist. Saibaba, suffering from 90% disability, said the rejection of bail did not shatter his belief in the judiciary. “The judiciary had granted me bail on medical grounds which I had utilized for treatment. Am not fully fit and any time the symptoms may relapse but am still ready to follow the due process. The court had earlier observed they were taking the extreme measure to grant me bail considering it their constitutional duty to protect a citizen’s life. The same court now feels I should be in prison,” said Saibaba expressing his disappointment. “I still want to leave it to the wisdom of the judiciary of the country,” said the English professor. Saibaba, reiterating that the evidence produced against him was false and fabricated, said his innocence would be established through the course of the trial. “I had been attempting to stand for the oppressed, marginalized, dalits, adivasis and such exploited class. Today, I whatever hardship I am facing is for the work that I am engaged in,” said Saibaba adding that people like him were facing humiliation everywhere in the country. Disagreeing with court’s contempt notice to Roy, Saibaba said that such action was bad in law as it curbed the constitutional right of freedom of expression. “Senior former judges and international voices have come out in my support across the globe. It was heartening to see them pour out their thoughts in my support,” he said.

