Raipur, April 19: After nearly four months of incarceration following his conviction on sedition charges by a trial court for his alleged links with the Maoists, PUCL leader Binayak Sen was released on bail on Supreme Court directives, from Raipur central jail on Monday evening, with certain conditions attached, set by the court for his release.
He was released on a personal bond of `50,000 and a surety of equal the amount. The court also directed him not to leave the country, deposit his passport with the authorities and attend court on dates. “I am happy, I will talk to you people at the Press conference”, Binayak, accompanied by PUCL leaders, his mother Anusuya , wife Ilina Sen and two daughters Aparajita and Pranhita, told mediamen as a battery of television crews and journalist had gathered out side the jail premises.
A handful of right activists that had gathered to welcome Sen’s release shouted anti-government slogans and demanded the disbanding of Salwa Judum and halt to the ‘Operation Green Hunt’.
It is to be noted here that Binayak Sen was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of sedition by a Raipur court on December 24. He had challenged the trial court order in the Bilashpur High court seeking ‘suspension of the sentence’ and bail. The High Court had in February rejected his bail petition. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Friday last week.
Following the Supreme Court order for his bail, Additional District and Sessions Judge BP verma on Moday set the conditions for his release.
As he walked out of the jail, his family members rushed to him in glee and embraced him, while mediapersons jostled to get their footage of the event.
–Agencies–