Bombay HC take suo moto cognizance of Purnima Upadhyay’s letter, considering bail for Saibaba

Former Delhi University Professor Saibaba who has been lodged in jail since last year may get a reprieve as Bombay HC has taken suo moto cognizance of a letter written by activist Purnima Upadhyay in which she had highlighted the plight of Saibaba in jail. Saibaba is 90 per cent disabled and wheelchair bound and suffers from ailments related to neurology. The Bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice A K Menon said that it was in favour of granting bail to Saibaba on humanitarian grounds. Earlier, the High Court had asked the jail authorities to admit Saibaba to any private hospital of his choice for treatment after condition of Saibaba was deteriorating in jail. However, the prosecution submitted that Saibaba’s bail has been considered by Sessions court and even the High Court, on merits, and both had dismissed the same. However, the Court said that this time the case should be considered on humanitarian grounds and accordingly gave prosecution time till June 30 to file a reply, after which it will take a decision.