Sen moves HC against life sentence

RAIPUR: Paediatrician and rights activist Binayak Sen has challenged his conviction and life sentence by a local court in the Chhattisgarh high court, saying his the crime he had been accused of wasn't proved beyond reasonable doubt. Sen was sentenced for sedition and links with the Maoist rebels. The 58-year-old's counsel Mahendra Dubey filed the appeal on Wednesday, contending Sen's involvement in the alleged crime was not proved beyond reasonable doubt.

"Circumstantial evidence, which form the basis of the judgement, lack cohesion and arguments of the defence were ignored," Dubey said in the petition challenging the December 24 order of additional district and sessions judge B P Verma. "The lower court neither properly followed the procedure... nor explained the evidence adduced in accordance with law," he added.