Supreme Court grants bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in post-godhra riots case, rejects Gujarat HC order

File photo

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has granted regular bail to activist Teesta Setalvad in a case related to the alleged fabrication of evidence to frame innocent people in the 2002 post-Godhra riots cases. The three-judge bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai, A S Bopanna, and Dipankar Datta, set aside the Gujarat High Court's previous order rejecting her plea for regular bail.

The apex court stated that a charge sheet had been filed against Setalvad in the case, but her custodial interrogation was deemed unnecessary. The court ruled that the appellant's passport, which had already been surrendered, would remain in the custody of the session court. The bench also emphasized that Setalvad must refrain from attempting to influence witnesses and should maintain distance from them.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court granted the Gujarat Police the liberty to approach directly to the apex court if any attempt is made to influence witnesses in the case.

The case dates back to June 25 of the previous year when Setalvad, along with former Gujarat Director General of Police R B Sreekumar and ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, was taken into custody by the Ahmedabad crime branch police. The case was registered against them for allegedly fabricating evidence to falsely implicate innocent individuals in the post-Godhra riots cases.

Previously, on July 30, 2022, an Ahmedabad sessions court had rejected the bail applications of Setalvad and Sreekumar, reasoning that granting bail would send a wrong message that people can level allegations without consequences.

Also read: Maharashtra rains: Flood-like situation in Ratnagiri, Raigad due to heavy rainfall

Following the rejection of the bail plea by the High Court on August 3, 2022, Setalvad moved the Supreme Court for interim bail, which was granted on September 2, 2022. As part of the interim bail conditions, she was required to surrender her passport to the trial court until the Gujarat High Court decided on her regular bail plea. (With inputs from PTI)