A two member bench of the Supreme Court just granted bail to award winning public health expert and human rights activist, Dr. Binayak Sen, previously convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in Chhattisgarh for sedition and aid to Naxalites fighting the state government.
Justices H.S. Bedi and C.K. Prasad observed, "He may be a sympathizer but that does not make him guilty of sedition" and went so far as to say all statements made by the state had no relevance.
This is a much needed morale boost to Dr. Sen's supporters worldwide. Unfortunately, as senior advocate representing Chhattisgarh state, U.U. Lalit said, "the apex court has only to consider whether he can be granted bail or not." The battle is not over.
Update: Law Minister V. Moily promises to revise "outdated" law. The Lancet published a letter from two Cambridge University professors charging Dr. Sen's conviction is a result of persecution from a neo-colonial state upset by Dr. Sen's documentation of public health work with tribal people.


1:33 PM
Pundit

