Human rights activist condemns life term to Binayak Sen

Noted human rights activist and Delhi-based lawyer Vrinda Grover alleged that the prosecution failed to prove charges against Dr Binayak Sen and the judgement of life term against him seems to have been passed on the basis of circumstantial evidence.

Sen along with Naxal ideologue Narayan Sanyal and Kolkata-based businessman Piyush Guha were found guilty of sedition and awarded life sentences by a Raipur court.

Speaking at a discussion ‘Binayak Sen judgement and its implications’, organised by Open Space in the city on Wednesday, Grover said Sen was against the anti-Naxal vigilante group Salwa Judum and the Chattisgarh government’s unlawful plans to take over tribal land for corporate projects.

“Sen and others have been made victims as the government wants to silence all those who know these plans. The police charged Sen with having links to Maoists on the basis of a letter found in Guha’s possession. However, they could not establish who gave the letter to the businessman,” Grover said.

Feminist Uma Chakravarty said Sen was targeted because he raised his voice against the government’s unjust practices.