Sun Oct 13 07:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Academic Activist GN Saibaba Dies After 10 Years of Unjust Imprisonment Under UAPA
**New Delhi, October 13th, 2023** – Renowned academic and human rights activist GN Saibaba passed away at the age of 57 on Wednesday, succumbing to post-surgical complications. The tragic news comes just seven months after he was acquitted, along with five others, on charges of alleged Maoist links under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Saibaba had spent over a decade in prison as an undertrial, despite being found innocent twice.
His death highlights the devastating consequences of the UAPA’s misuse against dissenters and activists. Saibaba, a wheelchair-bound scholar living with 90% disability, suffered severe physical deterioration during his imprisonment. He developed multiple ailments, including heart and gallbladder issues, and chronic pain, as detailed in his poignant prison memoir “Why do you fear my way so much?”.
Despite his deteriorating health, Saibaba’s repeated bail applications on medical grounds were rejected by the courts. He was even denied parole to attend his mother’s funeral, a poignant detail that underscored the cruel reality of his situation.
Saibaba’s case was marked by numerous irregularities, including the questionable seizure of alleged incriminating materials from his residence, the use of an illiterate witness for the seizure, and the absence of any evidence connecting him to terrorist activities. The Bombay High Court, in its final acquittal, noted that the prosecution failed to prove any connection between Saibaba and terrorism, calling the evidence “wholly unbelievable”.
Saibaba’s death echoes the tragic demise of Father Stan Swamy, another prominent activist who died in custody while facing charges under the UAPA. These cases illustrate the UAPA’s ability to function as a tool of repression, subjecting individuals to prolonged detentions and severe hardships even without a fair trial.
Calls for reform are growing louder, demanding accountability for the misuse of the UAPA and compensation for victims of wrongful imprisonment. As Supreme Court Justice Aftab Alam said in 2021, “The UAPA has failed us on both counts- constitutional freedom and national security!”
Saibaba’s death should serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of draconian laws and the urgent need for systemic changes to prevent the persecution of dissent and ensure true justice for all.
First Piper 