Prashant Rahi, an alumnus of IIT(BHU) and an engineer by training, endured three stints in prison between 2007 and 2024, facing two cases before finally being exonerated.
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Former journalist Prashant Rahi, at 65 years old, finds himself at a crossroads, contemplating his career options after being acquitted of all charges following a gruelling legal battle spanning nearly two decades.
Rahi, an alumnus of IIT(BHU) and an engineer by training, endured three stints in prison between 2007 and 2024, facing two cases before finally being exonerated.
Rahi’s ordeal began on September 1, 2013, when Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli police arrested him in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on charges of affiliating with the banned CPI (Maoist) organisation. Alongside former Delhi University Professor G.N. Saibaba and others, Rahi was accused and booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). However, Rahi maintains his innocence, asserting that he was in Raipur then to seek legal aid for a woman facing charges in Bilaspur.
The long-awaited relief came on March 5, when the Bombay High Court acquitted all those accused in the case, allowing Rahi to return to his home in Mumbai.
Recounting his time behind bars, Rahi shared insights into his experiences within the prison system. Initially detained in Nagpur jail along with individuals facing trial in Naxal cases, Rahi engaged in constructive activities, including translating books on politics, history, and economy.
Reflecting on his imprisonment, Rahi disclosed the challenges he faced, particularly regarding his health. Suffering from severe abdominal pain after meals and suspecting food tampering by fellow inmates, Rahi’s health deteriorated during his incarceration. His daughter’s intervention led to his hospitalisation in 2022, where he remained for seven weeks. Despite his physical ailments, Rahi remained steadfast in his belief in eventual exoneration, stating, “I was sure that I would be cleared of all charges… but the issues in jail caused my health to deteriorate.”
Rahi’s journey from an engineering graduate to a journalist dedicated to social causes reflects a life marked by resilience and commitment. After working as a correspondent for The Statesman, Rahi transitioned to full-time advocacy for people’s issues in 2001. His passion for social justice led to his arrest in 2007, accused of being a member of a Maoist group.
In light of his experiences, Rahi emphasises broader concerns regarding state suppression of dissent and the curtailment of civil liberties. “It is not about a particular political party, but the state’s interest in giving a free hand to those who have their eyes on the country’s resources. Hence, no criticism or dissent is tolerated,” he said.
