SC rejects anticipatory bail plea of Teesta, gives interim protection

“We don't want to make any comment. It is only the matter of anticipatory bail. You are litigant like any other litigant before us. You do what High Court of Bombay has said,” the bench said.

It also took exception to the Gujarat Government opposing the plea of Setalvad before the notice being issued to the state.

“Why are you so much against the petitioner. Why are you opposing when no notice has been issued. Don't make it a sensational case,” the bench said when Gujarat Government's counsel Meenakshi Lekhi opposed the plea of Setalvad saying the High Court had already given them protection.  

Parekh said the stand of the state government shows how they are treating the case.

One of the riot victims from Gulbarg housing society, which was burnt during the 2002 post Godhra riots, had lodged a complaint with the Ahmedabad Police against Teesta, Anand and the NGOs run by them - Citizens for Justice and Peace and Sabrang Trust alleging misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs 1.51 crores by them.

According to the complaint, the accused persons had allegedly collected funds in the name of converting part of the Gulbarg society into a museum and had allegedly misappropriated funds worth Rs 1.51 crores.  

They contended that they have been implicated in the case and are victims of political vendetta.

They claimed that they are being targeted by the perpetrators of the riots.