State to HC: Teesta Setalvad abandoned her former employee after his utility was exhausted

Setalvad is facing charges of fabrication of evidence and criminal conspiracy for allegedly implicating former Gujarat Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his council of ministers, and bureaucrats in the 2002 Gujarat riots.

In support of her bail plea, Setalvad argued that the evidence provided by Pathan, who was previously associated with Setalvad's NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) but was later dismissed and is now a member of the Central Waqf Council, should be questioned for credibility. (Express File Photo)

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Opposing the bail plea of activist Teesta Setalvad on Monday, the public prosecutor told the Gujarat High Court that there is an “overwhelming prima facie case” against Setalvad. In response to Setalvad’s questioning of Raiskhan Pathan’s credibility, who was formerly a field coordinator with Setalvad’s NGO and is now a member of the Central Waqf Council, the prosecution claimed that Setalvad had “conveniently abandoned” Raiskhan “after his utility was exhausted.”

Setalvad is facing charges of fabrication of evidence and criminal conspiracy for allegedly implicating former Gujarat Chief Minister and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his council of ministers, and bureaucrats in the 2002 Gujarat riots. During Monday’s hearing, the prosecution further opposed Setalvad’s bail, stating, “Here is a petitioner (Setalvad) who had tutored persons, tampered with the evidence, and committed many other acts… The aspect of tampering and seriousness of the offense requires serious consideration while exercising judicial discretion.”

In support of her bail plea, Setalvad argued that the evidence provided by Pathan, who was previously associated with Setalvad’s NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) but was later dismissed and is now a member of the Central Waqf Council, should be questioned for credibility. Setalvad pointed out that Pathan had previously made similar allegations against her, and in one case, he was found guilty of an offense. In another case, the High Court ordered further investigation, and in a third case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) examining the riot cases concluded that Pathan’s statements were false.

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Countering Setalvad’s earlier arguments, the prosecution responded, “If Raiskhan’s credibility is questioned as a witness by Setalvad, then the submission is that Raiskhan is a person who was conveniently abandoned by the petitioner after his utility was exhausted. Whatever was expected from Raiskhan, that aspect was fulfilled by him, and conveniently petitioner (Setalvad) abandoned him, and they (petitioner) started alleging whatever they wanted to against him. The fallout of that was a complaint filed by Raiskhan for defamation, as well as complaints by Raiskhan against the petitioner and her family members, etc. However, the aspect of assessing Raiskhan’s credibility is not required at this stage of bail.”

The court will continue the hearing on Tuesday to further examine the matter.

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