Additional Name(s): GN Saibaba

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: India

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Health Concerns: Wheel-chair bound, heart condition, brain cyst, hypertension, breathing difficulties, back pain, nerve damage, contracted COVID-19, contracted swine flu

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: Life Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: March/7/2017

Date of Sentencing: March/7/2017

Date of Release: March/7/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Civil Rights Work for Religious Communities Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Human Rights Work for Religious Communities

Nature of Charges: Criminal Premeditation & Conspiracy Terrorism

Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba

Extra Bio Info:

Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba was imprisoned for criticizing state violence against religious and marginalized communities. 

On May 9, 2014, plain clothed police officers in Delhi arrested Saibaba, a former English professor, for his work in support of civil and human rights for Adivasis and Dalits. As the Deputy Secretary of the Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF), he regularly spoke out against government discrimination and violence targeting them in mineral-rich central India. During the arrest, Saibaba’s hand was injured as police removed him from his wheelchair and threw him into their van. Saibaba was reportedly charged with unlawful activities (Sec. 13 UAPA), conspiracy (Sec. 18 UAPA), being member of terrorist gang or organization (Sec. 20 UAPA), associating with a terrorist organization (Sec. 38 UAPA), and supporting a terrorist organization (Sec. 39 UAPA). Authorities accused Saibaba of collaborating with banned Maoist insurgent groups. 

From June 2015 to December 2015, Saibaba was granted interim bail to receive medical treatment. 

In April 2016, the Supreme Court granted Saibaba bail.

On March 7, 2017, Saibaba was sentenced to life in prison. Following the conviction, Saibaba was taken back into custody.

On June 28, 2018, several UN experts called for Saibaba’s immediate release, citing poor prison conditions and lack of adequate medical care for Saibaba.

In February 2021, Saibaba contracted COVID-19.

In June 2021, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention declared Saibaba’s imprisonment arbitrary, calling for his immediate release. 

In February 2022, Saibaba reportedly contracted COVID-19 for the second time.

In August 2022, Saibaba reportedly contracted swine flu.

On October 14, 2022, the Bombay High Court acquitted Saibaba and ordered his immediate release.

On October 15, 2022, the Supreme Court suspended Saibaba's acquittal. 

On March 5, 2024, the Bombay High Court re-acquitted Saibaba.

On March 7, 2024, Saibaba was released from Nagpur Central Jail.

Saibaba’s health has deteriorated greatly while in prison and has been denied adequate medical care. Saibaba is 90% physically disabled and has been wheelchair-bound since catching polio as a child. He requires assistance to do basic tasks such as sitting up, eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom. Saibaba reportedly suffers from several health conditions including, a heart condition, brain cyst, hypertension, breathing difficulties, back pain, and nerve damage. Saibaba is reportedly also being held in solitary confinement. 

Saibaba was being held in Nagpur Central Jail.

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