In recent years, the health of political prisoners across India – from scholars to activists – has severely deteriorated in custody and some have even died as a result. This human rights issue reveals a systemic failure and demands immediate attention and reform.
The death of G.N. Saibaba, a 90 per cent physically disabled human rights defender, marks another tragic chapter in India’s handling of political prisoners.
Saibaba, who passed away shortly after a gallstone removal surgery, had endured years of inadequate medical care despite his severe disabilities.
From the moment of his arrest in 2014, when his wheelchair was damaged and he suffered injuries that left his arm immobile, to repeatedly being denied medical bail, Saibaba’s story points to the harsh reality of being a disabled prisoner in India.
His case draws attention to a broader pattern of prisoners – particularly those held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) – experiencing prolonged detention in prisons ill-equipped to handle disabled inmates and with limited access to healthcare.
The UAPA’s staggeringly low conviction rate of under 3 per cent is partially to blame for this, seeing the majority of those accused spend years in prison awaiting trial, with minimal chance of bail.
Creating a perfect storm for negligence and rights violations, a 2019 amendment further complicated matters by allowing individuals to be regarded as terrorists without due process.
Additionally, while the 2013 Model Prisons Act attempts to address prison conditions, it fails to adequately protect disabled prisoners’ rights beyond basic segregation in lodgings.