PHM-Exch> Binayak Sen walks out of Raipur jail

[Claudio Schuftan]

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*Raipur:* Human Rights activist and paediatrician Binayak Sen walked out of
Raipur Central Jail just before 7 PM on Monday (18 April 2011) after the
trial court in Chhattisgarh had set five conditions for his release. Sen,
who had been in jail after being convicted for sedition and sentenced to
rigorous life imprisonment by a Chhattisgarh court on December 24, 2010, was
granted bail on April 15, 2011 by the Supreme Court.

As soon as Sen walked out of the jail he was greeted by his family members
including his mother Anusuya Sen, wife Illina, daughter Aparajita and many
well wishers. Illina said that Sen would continue to work in Chhattisgarh if
his health permitted.

A gold medallist from CMC, Vellore, Sen has been convicted of having links
with Naxals. Earlier, the Chhattisgarh Court of Additional District and
Sessions Judge BP Verma directed that Sen be released on a personal bond and
surety of Rs 50,000 each.

He has to surrender his passport, he can't leave India without prior
permission and he has to appear before the Chhattisgarh High Court for the
trial whenever required.

He was arrested from Bilaspur on May 14, 2007. The Supreme Court granted him
bail on May 25, 2009. But, on December 24, 2010, he was convicted for
sedition and sentenced to rigorous life imprisonment by a Raipur court.

His battle for bail began on January 24, 2011 when the Chhattisgarh High
Court began hearing on suspension of his sentence. But on February 10, 2011,
the High Court dismissed his bail plea.

The Supreme Court on March 3, 2011 admitted a special leave petition (SLP)
and issued notices to the Chhattisgarh government, giving it four weeks to
reply on Sen's bail plea.

On March 11, 2011 the prosecution asked for more time. Finally on April 15,
2011 a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court granted him bail.

The apex court said it was giving no reason for granting bail to 61-year-old
Sen and left it to the satisfaction of the trial court concerned to impose
the conditions for his release on bail.

While granting bail to Sen, the court observed that even if he is a Naxal
sympathiser, it does not makes him guilty of sedition.
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