No proof of Naxal link, arrested prof tells SC

Former Nagpur University professor Shoma Sen, who has been in custody in the Elgar Parishad case for over five-and-a-half years, on Thursday contended before SC there was no prima facie evidence that she was associated with the banned Naxal outfit CPI (Maoist) and the material allegedly recovered by the probe agency from electronic devices of other accused "were planted".

Pleading for her bail before a bench of Justices Aniruddha Bose and Augustine George Masih, Senior advocate Anand Grover and lawyer Paras Nath Singh submitted that there was no prima facie case against her and the embargo under Section 43-D(5) of UAPA should not be imposed. Informing the court Grover pleased that she be granted bail as the case against her is very weak because of lack of evidence and also as she is suffering from various ailments.