Hearing on Sen’s plea deferred

The Supreme Court (SC) deferred on Monday the hearing on a plea to grant bail to noted public health specialist and national vice-president of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Binayak Sen, for a week. Sen, who has been in a Chhattisgarh jail since 2007 for allegedly aiding Maoists, needs urgent heart care.

A bench of justices DK Jain and RM Lodha deferred the hearing after Sen’s lawyer sought more time to file additional documents. The Chhattisgarh government imposed the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, on him, but Sen rubbished the charges.

Meanwhile, at least 54 well-wishers, including cardiologists and physicians from India and abroad, sent a letter to chief justice of India KG Balakrishnan seeking a “review” of Sen’s case. “Recently, we learned his (Sen’s) health has worsened and that the doctor appointed by the court to examine him has recommended that he be transferred to Vellore for an angiography and perhaps, if needed, an angioplasty without delay," the letter reads.  “We believe the court has ordered Binayak receive the treatment, but the local administration is creating hurdles,” it laments.