SC denies bail to PUCL activist

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to grant bail to Dr Binayak Sen, general secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Chhattisgarh, who is also the national vice-president of PUCL. He was arrested for allegedly abetting Naxal activities in Chhattisgarh.

The court refused to buy the argument of Sen’s counsel Rajeev Dhavan that at this stage he was only an activist of PUCL and no longer and in no way connected with the CPI-ML. Disagreeing with his submission, the court shot back: “You are emphasising too much on PUCL. This does not mean that you are immune” and added, “This does not mean your are not associated with banned activities.” Sen, a healthcare activist, has been in judicial custody since 14 May 2007.

Seeking to be enlarged on bail, Sen has contended that he was arrested on fabricated charges of having sympathies with the Naxalites. The PUCL activist was arrested for allegedly acting as a courier for the Naxalites. He has been charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act.