The Gujarat government on Wednesday opposed the anticipatory bail plea of social activist Teesta Setalvad, saying it has sufficient evidence against her in connection with a case pertaining to filing false affidavits in court in the name of post-Godhra riot victims.
Additional Sessions Judge, S.B. Gajre, after hearing the arguments from Ms. Setalvad’s counsel S. M. Vora and Chief Public Prosecutor Sudhir Bhrambhatt, has reserved the order till August 2.
The court has also asked the police not to arrest Ms. Setalvad in connection with the case since its order on the anticipatory bail is not declared.
Mr. Bhrambhatt contended there was more than sufficient evidence against Ms. Setalvad to show that false affidavits were prepared at her behest as alleged by her former aide Rais Khan, who is an accused in the case and presently out on bail.
Mr. Khan alleged that false affidavits, in the name of 2002 riot victims against the accused in the Naroda Gam case, were filed in court at the behest of Ms. Setalvad, who, according to Mr. Khan, used to send him ‘ready-made’ affidavits through email.
Mr. Khan had further alleged that he used to get the false affidavits signed by the victims and witnesses for Ms. Setalvad who headed an NGO, Centre for Justice and Peace (CJP).
