Teesta Setalvad Arrested: Gujarat Police Gets Custody Till 1 July

Officials from the Gujarat Crime Branch detained activist-journalist Teesta Setalvad on Saturday, 25 June, hours after Home Minister Amit Shah said in an interview that her NGO had spread "baseless" information regarding the 2002 Gujarat riots.

(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)

Hours after activist-journalist Teesta Setalvad was arrested and brought to the Crime Branch, Ahmedabad, the Metropolitan Magistrates Court granted Setalvad's custody to the Crime Branch till 1 July.

The next hearing in the matter will be held on 2 July.

Gujarat DCP Chaitanya Mandlik addressed a press conference on Sunday and said, "Former IPS officer RB Sreekumar was arrested yesterday and Teesta Setaldwad was arrested today. Forging of evidence and hindering with evidence will be looked into. We will produce both the accused in the court by 3 pm."

While being taken to be presented in Metropolitan Magistrates Court, Ahmedabad, Setalvad shouted, "I am not a criminal" before she went in.

Mandlik added, "The accused are not supporting us in the investigation. We are demanding 14 days of custody. Teesta will be produced in front of the magistrate and all her statements will be recorded there. We are getting the documents arranged from various sources."

He further informed that the medical check-up was complete and that due process was being followed by the Crime Branch.

"The investigation is at a primary level, strict actions will be taken once the investigation is done. We have the primary affidavits and documents submitted by accused," Mandlik added.

‘Big Bruise on My Hand’: Teesta Setalvad

Setalvad was brought to the Crime Branch, Ahmedabad, early on Sunday morning, 26 June, according to news agency ANI.

She was detained on Saturday, hours after Home Minister Amit Shah said in an interview that her NGO had spread "baseless" information regarding the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Shortly afterward, she was taken for a medical check-up at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. In visuals that have emerged since, Setalvad can be heard saying: "I have a big bruise on my hand."

She also raised her hand to show the bruise and said that officials have done that to her.

Further, Setalvad informed reporters that she is being taken to the magistrate’s court.

The officials arrived at her residence at 3 pm on Saturday afternoon. Setalvad was then taken to the Santacruz police station in Mumbai and subsequently transported to Ahmedabad.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human RIghts Defenders, Mary Lawlor, on Sunday took to Twitter to express concerns over Setalvad’s detention. She also said:

“Teesta is a strong voice against hatred and discrimination. Defending human rights is not a crime. I call for her release and an end to persecution by Indian state.”

The FIR

An FIR naming Setalvad, Sanjiv Rajendra Bhatt, and RB Sreekumar was filed at the DCB police station under Sections 468, 471, 194, 211, 218, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

• 468 IPC: Forgery for purpose of cheating

• 471 IPC: Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record

• 191 IPC: Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence

• 211 IPC: False charge of offence made with intent to injure

• 218 IPC: Public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfei­ture

• 120 B IPC: Punishment of criminal conspiracy

468 IPC is a non-bailable offence, which means that under this section bail is not a matter of rights but a privilege that can only be granted by courts.

The FIR is based on a complaint filed by Darshansinh B Barad, police inspector, Detection of Crime Branch Ahmedabad City, in which he cited the Supreme Court's judgment from Friday, 24 June, in Zakia Jafri's plea challenging the SIT probe in the Gujarat riots case.

Sreekumar has also been detained in the case.

(With inputs from ANI.)