High Court Hesitates to Aid Teesta Setalvad in Gujarat Mass Grave Case

 

The Gujarat High Court has indicated its reluctance to grant relief to activist Teesta Setalvad in a case related to the digging of mass graves near Pandarwada village in Gujarat in 2005. Setalvad, a vocal critic of the Gujarat government over the 2002 riots, faces charges of fabricating evidence and tampering with witness statements in connection with the case.

The Case:

• In 2006, police filed a case against Setalvad and others for allegedly orchestrating the digging of graves and exhuming 28 bodies of riot victims near Pandarwada.
• The motive behind the exhumation, as per the prosecution, was to create a "media sensation" and malign the Gujarat government.
• Setalvad has denied the charges, claiming the exhumation was done at the behest of victims' families who wanted to perform proper religious rites.

High Court's Reservations:

• During a recent hearing, Justice Sandeep Bhatt expressed reservations about granting relief to Setalvad, stating that he was "prima facie not inclined" to do so after going through the records.
• The judge reportedly questioned the need for "pulling dead horses" and asked Setalvad's lawyer to convince him why the FIR against her should be quashed.

Implications:

• The High Court's reservations could be a setback for Setalvad, who has been fighting the case for over 16 years.
• If the charges against her are upheld, it could have серьезні наслідки для її репутації та активістської діяльності.
• The case also raises concerns about freedom of expression and the potential for misuse of legal processes against activists.

Moving Forward:

• The next hearing in the case is scheduled for January 9, 2024.
• Setalvad's lawyer will have the opportunity to present arguments and try to convince the court to quash the FIR.
• The final decision of the High Court will be closely watched by human rights activists and those following the 2002 Gujarat riots case.

It's important to note that:

• The details of the case are complex and the court is yet to reach a final decision.
• Both Setalvad and the Gujarat government have presented their arguments, and the court will consider all sides before delivering its verdict.
• It is crucial to avoid biased or sensational reporting and respect the ongoing judicial process.  

•  (With input from news agency language)
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