Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who also heads the home department, has welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend the acquittal of Prof GN Saibaba, who was charged for having links with Maoists and helping them directly.

Fadnavis said that the development was “heartening for the families of security personnel who were martyred fighting against anti-national naxal activities”. “The acquittal by the high court was shocking and surprising. There is evidence to establish that he directly helped Maoists. And yet he was released on technical grounds of delayed permission for prosecution,” he said.