Supreme Court Grants Bail to Activist Teesta Setalvad in Gujarat Riots Case

New Delhi, July 19, 2023: In a significant development, activist Teesta Setalvad has been granted bail by the Supreme Court. The apex court set aside the Gujarat High Court’s order rejecting her plea for regular bail in a case related to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Justices BR Gavai, AS Bopanna, and Dipankar Datta observed that the charge sheet had already been filed against Setalvad, eliminating the need for custodial interrogation. However, the court cautioned her against influencing witnesses in the ongoing case.

During the hearing, Justice BR Gavai questioned the motives behind Setalvad’s arrest and criticized the timing of it. He also highlighted the potential consequences if the authorities’ contentions were to be accepted, suggesting that it would undermine the Definition of Evidence Act.

Echoing the sentiment, Justice Dipankar Datta criticized the practice of holding someone in custody until a verdict is pronounced, expressing concerns over the case under Section 194.

Teesta Setalvad’s legal battles began last year when she was arrested on charges of fabricating evidence in cases related to the riots. She was arrested along with former Gujarat police chief RB Sreekumar and former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt. The Supreme Court has protected Setalvad from arrest since July 1 and extended her interim bail on July 5.

Setalvad, known for her activism and criticism of the Gujarat administration, had challenged a probe that cleared Prime Minister Narendra Modi of any wrongdoing during the riots. Her release from jail in September last year came after receiving interim bail from the Supreme Court.