Social media is plagued with hashtags demanding the release of the activist and journalist Teesta Setalvad. So, what exactly triggered her arrest? Let's Dive In!
On 26th June, the Ahmedabad crime branch arrested Teesta Setalvad, a day after she, was detained in Mumbai and shifted to Gujarat. According to sources, the arrest was related to her alleged involvement in a fresh case of forgery, criminal conspiracy and insulting criminal proceedings to cause injury. The crime branch has registered an FIR against Setalvad, Sreekumar, and Bhatt on Saturday, a day after the Supreme Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the clean chit given by the SIT to the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi and other politicians in 2002 post-Godhra riots cases.
According to the three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar, SIT's 2012 clean chit to PM Modi in the Gujarat riots case, stated that Setalvad, co-petitioner in the case, exploited the emotions of Zakia Jafri.The judges stated that all those involved in such abuse of process need to be in the dock and further proceeded with in accordance with law. They further pointed out that the appeal was filed under "dictation of someone."
"Antecedents of Teesta Setalvad need to be reckoned with and also because she has been vindictively persecuting this (dispute) for her ulterior design by exploiting the emotions and sentiments of Zakia Jafri, the real victim of the circumstances," the supreme court's order reads. Setalvad, who holds the position of secretary of NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace, is accused of conspiring to fabricate documents, tutor witnesses, facts.
The renowned activist was also accused of abusing the process of law by fabricating false evidence to frame people, on the basis of submissions made before the SIT formed by the top court to look into the infamous 2002 Gujarat riots cases and before the Justice Nanavati-Shah Commission of Inquiry. The FIR lodged by the police inspector of the DCB invoked Sections 468, 471 (forgery), 194 (fabricating/giving false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offense), 218 (public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save a person from punishment or property from forfeiture),211 (institute criminal proceedings to cause injury), and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.
The activist and her NGO were co-petitioners with Zakia Jafri, wife of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, who was killed during riots, in the petition filed against PM Modi and others in the Supreme Court. Based on the Supreme Court verdict, the FIR states that the accused would be investigated for "finding out the behind the scene criminal conspiracy, financial and other benefits, inducements for the commission of various serious offenses in collusion with other entities, individuals and organisations."
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