Life sentence to Binayak Sen, Sanyal, Peejus

      Raipur, December 24, 2010: A local court in Raipur today sentenced to life imprisonment eminent rights activist Dr Binayak Sen, Maoist leader Narayan Sanyal and Kolkata based businessman Peejus Guha on charges of sedition and involved in unlawful activities.

     For helping the banned organization CPI (Maoist), all the three had been convicted earlier on the day by a sessions court of Raipur B P Verma.

     All the three had been sentenced to life imprisonment and fine of Rs 5000 and in case of not payment of the fine a jail term of another three months, judge Verma said.

     When the trio were acquitted on charge of waging war against India under section 121 (A), they have been convicted on charges of 124 (A) of Sedition, 120 (B) of IPC of Conspiracy, 39 (2) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and 8 (1), 8 (2), 8 (3), 8 (5) of Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act.

      Similarly, in a separate charge only Narayan Sanyal is convicted with ten years jail term under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

     Visibly worried Sen, after the judgment, said he was disappointed.

     There was no suggestion of his involvement in war life activities anywhere in the case and they would appeal in the higher court against the judgment, he said.

     Wife of Sen, Ilina said the judgment was totally irrational. The person, who had given his entire life for the poor was today convicted on charge of sedition, which was really a sad thing, she said adding they would go to the higher court.

     All the three were immediately taken to Raipur Central Jail. But before that the family members of Sen and Guha had an emotional moment.