Additional District Judge Sunil Kumar Singh, while pronouncing the order, also slapped a fine of approximately Rs 70,000 on the couple, who were tried under Section 121 of the Indian Penal Code (waging war against the State) and various sections of Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act.
The couple were arrested from Lukerganj locality in Allahabad on February 6, 2010 by the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh, which claimed that Maoist literature was recovered from their possession and that they were associated with the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist).
The arrest of the couple, who have been actively associated with the People's Union for Civil Liberties, had evoked widespread condemnation from civil rights groups across the country.
Emerging from the court after pronouncement of today's order, the couple alleged that the STF had arrested them on "false charges".
"It is very unfortunate that governments across the country are behaving in the same intolerant fashion against human rights activists.
We will be moving the Allahabad High Court against the order," Vijay told reporters before being taken away to the high-security Naini Central Prison on the outskirts of the city, where they have been lodged since their arrest.
