GN Saibaba Seeks Emergency Parole To Attend Mother's Post-Funeral Rites; Bombay HC Seeks State's Reply

Division bench of Justice AS Chandurkar and Justice AB Borkar of the Nagpur bench heard the application filed by the wheelchair bound 90% disabled Saibaba and adjourned the hearing in the case till August 18.

The 50-year-old former Professor is lodged at the Nagpur central Jail in an Anda Cell and he moved High Court after the prison authorities rejected his application for emergency parole. Last month, the same bench had rejected Saibaba's bail application noting that that apart from narrating ailments suffered by Saibaba, no further details were given in his application.

However, Saibaba's counsel NB Rathod had contended then that his client is seeking bail for two reasons, firstly due to medical reasons as there is a likelihood he will get infected with Covid-19 due to several comorbidities that he suffers from and also because his mother's failing health was a cause of concern and his presence with her was necessary.

During the bail hearing last month, Special PP P Sathianathan had informed the court that all care and due precaution is being taken by the Jail Authorities in the light of the spread of Covid-19. Moreover, the Covid-19 test of the applicant was undertaken and the same was negative. All preventive and curative measures to prevent spread of the infection were being taken in the prison. Moreover, two attendants were made available to the applicant for 24 hours, SPP Sathianathan had said.

Saibaba was convicted for offences punishable under Section 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 read with Section 120 B of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life in a judgment dated March 7, 2017.