Senior Advocate and one of India’s best criminal lawyers, Ram Jethmalani has offered to defend doctor Binayak Sen.

Jethmalani speaking to NDTV said, "Binayak Sen is not a traitor, I don't think whatever he has done amounts to sedition. My opinion of him is much better than that of the police. My impression is that there is no case against Sen."

Although Jethmalani has offered to defend doctor Sen, his political party, BJP is toeing completely opposite viewpoint on this issue. BJP, which is currently in power in Chhattisgarh, had arrested doctor Sen on charges of helping Maoists and providing shelter to some of its leaders. On questioned by CNN-IBN on whether he would go against the party lines and defend Sen, Jethmalani said  "I would do it for him, I would fight for Binayak Sen. No party line says a lawyer should not fight a case". 

Binayak Sen was convicted for life on December 24, on charge of sedition after he frequently met jailed Maoist leader, Narayan Sanyal. He was also convicted for providing medical care and shelter, which was construed as conspiracy. Last week a Raipur Court upheld his conviction for life and he was immediately arrested.

Earlier, Binayak Sen bail plea had reached the Supreme Court, which although was rejected at the first instance but was granted during a second filing. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves (pictured right) had appeared on behalf of the doctor before the Apex Court. Advocate Surendra Singh argued his case in length before the Raipur trial court. Support has poured in from all quarters of the globe for the release of Binayak Sen with the leaders of Congress party, ruling in the center,  also supporting the jailed doctors case.

Supriya Sharma, in an interesting read has analysed the Binayak Sen trial in detail and the material evidence before trial court.