LUCKNOW: A local court in Allahabad sentenced
Vishwajeet Azad and his wife Seema Azad, to
life imprisonment on charges of sedition and waging war against the
nation.
The couple, who
claimed themselves to be journalists and human right activists, belonged to Allahabad. The two were
arrested in 2010 in Kanpur.
Banned Maoist literature and large amount of cash was allegedly recovered by
the police from their possession. P olice had then claimed that the couple used
to brainwash people to become naxal. The
couple were booked under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act 1967 and the IPC. The case was later transferred to police
station, Kotwali, at Allahabad.
The arrest of Seema
and Vishwajeet were made by the special
task force (STF) but the case was later handed over to the anti-terrorism squad
(ATS). The ATS filed a chargesheet in the court after investigation. The couple
were accused of being involved in inciting people through CD, laptops and
books.
The prosecution
witnesses were examined and the court held them guilty of sedition.
After verdict was
delivered, Lalji Kaithwas, lawyer of the couple, said that he will challenge
their conviction and sentencing in the high court. Seema Azad, 32-year-old, has
masters degree from Allahabad University and was the state secretary of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Uttar Pradesh. She was
publishing a magazine called Dastak for four years before being arrested. The
case against the two was being tried for more than two and half years.
PUCL members has been protesting against the arrest of couple claiming that the two were activists and journalists who worked extensively against land mafias and unfair policies of the government. They had then also made representation to National Human Rights Commission claiming that Seema was a human right worker and not a naxal.