Teesta Setalvad is the editor of a Mumbai Magazine “Communalism Combat” and is one of the trustees of “Sabrang Trust”. She also runs an NGO namely “Citizens for Justice and Peace”.
After the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat Teesta Setalvad raised huge sums of money as donations from within and outside the country to get “justice” for the aggrieved. She has been awarded the “Padma Shree” by the UPA Government for defaming, maligning and blaming Narendra Modi’s Government for its alleged involvement in
the riots.
Teesta Setalvad, as will be shown in this booklet, distorted facts, provided false evidences, had political and communal bias herself, and broke the law on several occasions to vindicate her pointed agenda of maligning India, the Hindus and any leader that displayed strong leadership qualities but was opposed to the Congress Party. Teesta Setalvad willingly offered herself to anti-national, anti-India forces to further their cause of destabilising India. In return she accepted their money, awards
and favours.
Teesta Setalvad is the editor of a Mumbai Magazine “Communalism Combat” and is one of the trustees of “Sabrang Trust”. She also runs an NGO namely “Citizens for Justice and Peace”.
After the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat Teesta Setalvad raised huge sums of money as donations from within and outside the country to get “justice” for the aggrieved. She has been awarded the “Padma Shree” by the UPA Government for defaming, maligning and blaming Narendra Modi’s Government for its alleged involvement in
the riots.
Teesta Setalvad, as will be shown in this booklet, distorted facts, provided false evidences, had political and communal bias herself, and broke the law on several occasions to vindicate her pointed agenda of maligning India, the Hindus and any leader that displayed strong leadership qualities but was opposed to the Congress Party. Teesta Setalvad willingly offered herself to anti-national, anti-India forces to further their cause of destabilising India. In return she accepted their money, awards
and favours.
Teesta Setalvad is the editor of a Mumbai Magazine “Communalism Combat” and is one of the trustees of “Sabrang Trust”. She also runs an NGO namely “Citizens for Justice and Peace”.
After the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat Teesta Setalvad raised huge sums of money as donations from within and outside the country to get “justice” for the aggrieved. She has been awarded the “Padma Shree” by the UPA Government for defaming, maligning and blaming Narendra Modi’s Government for its alleged involvement in
the riots.
Teesta Setalvad, as will be shown in this booklet, distorted facts, provided false evidences, had political and communal bias herself, and broke the law on several occasions to vindicate her pointed agenda of maligning India, the Hindus and any leader that displayed strong leadership qualities but was opposed to the Congress Party. Teesta Setalvad willingly offered herself to anti-national, anti-India forces to further their cause of destabilising India. In return she accepted their money, awards
and favours.
This booklet contains information which is already widely available in the Indian Courts and in public domain. The author and editor have compiled the information in a concise and reader-friendly manner. The author and editor do not take responsibility for any factual inaccuracies or errors in the booklet.
1
INDEX
1. WHO IS TEESTA SETALVAD? . 3
2. HOW TEESTA SETALVAD CAME IN THE LIMELIGHT? ... 4
3. OFFSHOOT OF GODHRA CARNAGE . 5
4. TEESTAS LOVE FOR THE CONGRESS PARTY DESPITE ITS INVOLVEMENT IN GUJARAT RIOTS . 6
5. THE CONGRESS PARTY INSTIGATED THE GUJARAT RIOTS .. 7
6. FALSE AFFIDAVITS FILED IN NARODA GAM CASE AT TEESTAS BEHEST . 9
7. THE INFAMOUS & FALSE RAPE STORY OF MADINA .. 10
8. OTHER FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF RAPE MADE BY TEESTA SETALVAD . 12
9. FALSE ALLEGATIONS IN NARODA PATIYA CASE THAT THE WOMB OF A PREGNANT WOMAN WAS RIPPED OPEN . 13
10. FABRICATED EVIDENCE PRODUCED IN GULBARG SOCIETY RIOT CASE .. 14
11. RIOT WITNESSES WERE TUTORED BY TEESTA SETALVAD 15
12. TEESTA SETALVAD STALLED SMOOTH CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATIONS AND TRIAL ..... 16
13. WITNESSES WERE PAID MONEY BY TEESTA SETALVAD TO GIVE FALSE STATEMENTS 17
14. ILLEGAL DIGGING OF GRAVES BY TEESTA SETALVAD . 19
15. THREATS MADE BY TEESTA SETALVAD . 20
16. TEESTA SETALVAD MADE A FORTUNE FROM AWARDS, REWARDS AND DONATIONS .. 21
17. TEESTA SETALVAD FLOUTS FCRA RULES AND COMPANY LAW 22
18. TEESTAS DISRESPECT FOR THE HIGHEST COURT OF INDIA 23 2
19. TEESTA COLLUDED WITH ZAKIA JAFRI AGAINST MODI AFTER HAREN PANDYAS FAMILY REFUSED TO COLLABORATE WITH HER . 24
20. JUSTICE AFTAB ALAM AND TEESTA SETALVADS NEXUS? 25
21. TEESTA SETALVAD PURCHASED JEWELLERY AND WINE FROM FUNDS MEANT FOR RIOT VICTIMS 26
22. SHASHIKANT, AN INNOCENT VICTIM OF TEESTAS MISDEEDS . 28
3
1. WHO IS TEESTA SETALVAD?
Teesta faces arrest in fund embezzlement case reads a newspaper report published in the New Delhi edition of the Hindustan Times on 26th March, 2014. It is as follows:
AHMEDABAD: A local court here on Tuesday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of social activist Teesta Setalvad, her husband and two others in Gulbarg Society fund embezzlement case. She and others named in the FIR now face arrest by the Ahmedabad crime branch. Setalvad is accused of collecting over Rs. 1.5 Crore to build a Museum of Resistance at Gulbarg Society but after collecting the funds, no museum was built at the site where 69 people, including former Congress parliamentarian Ehsan Jafri were killed during the 2002 communal riots in the state.
On 12.3.2013, members of the Gulbarg Society had lodged a complaint 1 against Teesta Setalvad for cheating and misappropriation of funds with the office of the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch), Ahmedabad under section 403, 406, 420, 418, 120B, 467, 468 and 477(a) of IPC. An FIR was lodged which is pending adjudication.
Teesta Setalvad is the editor of a Mumbai Magazine Communalism Combat and is one of the trustees of Sabrang Trust. She also runs an NGO namely Citizens for Justice and Peace.
After the 2002 communal riots in Gujarat Teesta Setalvad raised huge sums of money as donations from within and outside the country to get justice for the aggrieved. She has been awarded the Padma Shree by the UPA Government for defaming, maligning and blaming Narendra Modis Government for its alleged involvement in the riots.
Teesta Setalvad, as will be shown in this booklet, distorted facts, provided false evidences, had political and communal bias herself, and broke the law on several occasions to vindicate her pointed agenda of maligning India, the Hindus and any leader that displayed strong leadership qualities but was opposed to the Congress Party. Teesta Setalvad willingly offered herself to anti-national, anti-India forces to further their cause of destabilising India. In return she accepted their money, awards and favours.
1 Gulbarg Society members complaint: http://www.scribd.com/doc/130117742/
4
2. HOW TEESTA SETALVAD CAME IN THE LIMELIGHT?
On 27.02.2002 Hindu Karsevaks were returning from Ayodhya by train. The train was stopped near Godhra Railway Station by a mob of miscreants from the Muslim community. The driver of the train was dragged down by the miscreants and the Karsevaks and other passengers, sitting in the railway compartments, were assaulted with deadly weapons. The compartments were then set on fire which led to the death of 59 men, women and children.
On 28.02.2002, commenting on the Godhra train carnage, Teesta Setalvad told Lakshmi Rama, author of an article published in The Washington Post that:
.while I condemn todays gruesome attack, you cannot pick up an incident in isolation. Let us not forget the provocation. These people were not going for a benign assembly. They were indulging in blatant and unlawful mobilization to build a temple and deliberately provoke the Muslims in India.
Since the Godhra train carnage and subsequent riots, Teesta Setalvad has spun a vicious web of character assassination of individuals, Hindus, Gujarat, India and its Judiciary at various forums worldwide and has unscrupulously mobilized funds from dubious NGOs, foreign government funded agencies and individuals. Most of the funds raised by her were used either in her vilification campaign or diverted for her personal use.
5
3. OFFSHOOT OF GODHRA CARNAGE
The Godhra Train Carnage triggered widespread and large scale communal riots in Gujarat. Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal stated in Rajya Sabha 2 on 11th May, 2005 that:
"254 Hindus and 790 Muslim were killed in the post-Godhra riots of 2002"
Teesta Setalvad from day one blamed the Gujarat Government and Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of Gujarat for the riots.
In November 1999, Teesta Setalvad had conducted a prominent ad campaign and took an active role in the electioneering process. While giving an interview 3 to a Magazine, Human Scape, she told Meher Pistonji that:
.in 1992, after the Babri Masjid demolition, public statements were made by prominent Indians through paid ad space to convey their disgust at what was happening to a wide audience. In the 1998 elections NRI groups placed ads in selected newspapers like Indian Express, Mahanagar and Combat, asking people to vote for a secular democracy. In the 50th year of independence also, ad space was used to convey secular messages. With that in mind we approached political parties that are opposed to the BJP ideology Congress, CPI, CPM and about ten prominent individuals (funded the newspaper advertisements)
It would be worth mentioning that the National Human Rights Commission filed a Writ Petition before the Supreme Court of India against the State of Gujarat and others, which was decided on 01.05.2009 by the Supreme Court whereby the Supreme Court issued a directive to constitute a Special Investigating Team (In short - SIT) for speedy trial of the Gujarat riot cases.
In compliance of the directions of the Supreme Court, the State of Gujarat constituted Special Investigating Team (SIT) and notified the same.
During the investigation and pendency of the cases related to Gujarat riots, a number of witnesses were produced before various courts and examined.
2 Sriprakash Jaiswals statement in the Rajya Sabha: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221709429/
3 Teestas interview to Humanscape: http://www.scribd.com/doc/126700075/
6
4. TEESTAS LOVE FOR THE CONGRESS PARTY DESPITE ITS INVOLVEMENT IN GUJARAT RIOTS
On August 9, 2003 the Times of India carried a prominent article 4 titled Cong silent on cadres linked to Guj riots on the involvement of Congress Party leaders and cadres in the Gujarat riots. The article states:
NEW DELHI: The Congress has been going to town over Best Bakery and other instances of the Narendra Modi government's complicity in the anti-Muslim violence which shook Gujarat last year.
But when it comes to the involvement of its own party cadre in the killings, 10 Janpath maintains a deafening silence. Even when confronted by a long- standing ally from the freedom movement days, the Jamiat-Ulama-i-Hind.
According to the JUH, "most Congress corporators" and some Congress leaders of Gujarat had actively participated in last year's riots.
Mahmood Asad Madani, JUH general secretary told The Times of India: "We wrote letters to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, gave a list of Congress leaders involved in the riots, asked her to take action against them but to no avail."
4 Times of India article: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221709977/
7
5. THE CONGRESS PARTY INSTIGATED THE GUJARAT RIOTS
It is quite clear that the Godhra Carnage, the beginning and the flashpoint of the Gujarat riots, was instigated by several Congressmen. The Godhra Train Burning Court Judgement 5 and also news portal Desh Gujarat in its article 6 Godhra verdict: 31 guilty, 63 acquitted, punishment on 25 February of date 22 February, 2011 gave the names of the guilty that includes the name of Haji Bilal, a Congress Corporator.
This angle of the story has never been explored in its entirety. It is amply clear that several congressmen were involved in the train burning episode and the riots thereafter. What and how was the conspiracy planned? Was it made to destabilize the BJP government of Narendra Modi that had come to power recently? The BJP, then in power at the Central Government level, was already giving a headache to Congress, dimming its prospects of return to power. Thus, who gave the go ahead for the train burning and at which level of the Congress party? Who were the people involved to manage the aftermath of the riots from the Congress conspirators side?
In a chapter 7 in her book Modi, Muslims and Media, journalist Madhu Kishwar alleges that the desertion of the Muslims en masse was an alarming factor in Gujarat Congress. Narendra Modi was to fight for the Gujarat by-elections in February 2002, just before the Gujarat riots of February 27th, 2002; his campaign in Rajkot saw large scale migration of Muslims from the Congress camp. Modi was perceived a secular Chief Ministerial candidate. Modi had, as Kishwar claims:
(Modi) managed to accomplish what even Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the most liberal face of BJP, had failed in doing. Though Muslims liked Vajpayee personally, they never voted for him or BJP under him.
Therefore, it would not be surprising that given the rising scale of Modis popularity Congress Party honchos decided to nip the bud before it blossomed and to stop the large scale erosion of its traditional Muslim base. The Congress has notoriously played the Communal card repeatedly to play divisive politics in India.
The failure to remove Modi from the Gujarat government led to a surge in defamatory tactics and legal hoopla meant to trap him and his core team. Teesta Setalvad played a key role in this.
The Congress and the Islamic conspiracy angle gets credence in the claims of the estranged aide of Teesta Setalvad, Rais Khan Pathan, who has claimed in an interview 8 that Teesta refused to let him proceed against Congress leaders involved in the Gujarat riots.
8
To strengthen the conspiracy angle further, the Desh Gujarat article 6 , also gives a Pakistani angle to the story and exposes the long known yet neglected link of the Congress party to terrorist networks that help it in polarizing votes on religious grounds. It states:
Core group members of conspiracy are enjoying safe haven in Pakistan.
Core members of a group of Muslims in Godhra who conspired the Sabarmati express train carnage in 2002 are living freely in Pakistan, the country that is known to harbor the terrorists. Though red corner notice are issued against several accused, only one of them has been arrested so far, and he too has been acquitted in Tuesdays verdict delivered by court in Ahmedabad.
According to todays verdict, three accused Salim Haji Ibrahim Panwala, Shaukat Ahmed Charkha alias Lalu and Faruk Bhano are still at large and are not arrested in Godhra case.
Originally Godhra train attacks four accused were traced to be in Pakistan and Red corner notices were issued against them. However only one of them - Ibrahim alias Kachuka could be arrested in 2009 when he was returning from Pakistan in train.
Two accused Salim Panwala and Charkho are not arrested yet because they are presently enjoying safe haven in Pakistan according to Police version, while main culprit Bhano is untraceable and therefore no red corner notice has been issued against him. He could be in any country at any location.
5 Godhra Train Burning - Full Court Judgement: http://www.scribd.com/doc/215649965/
7 Chapter from Modi, Muslims and Media: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221710958/
8 Rais Khan Pathans interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfLucgo6GAE
9
6. FALSE AFFIDAVITS FILED IN NARODA GAM CASE AT TEESTAS BEHEST
Just after Godhra Riots in Gujarat, Teesta Setalvad, in the garb of offering help and justice to Muslim victims, approached the people staying in relief camps and lured them to give false and fabricated evidences before various courts to procure convictions punishable for various terms including capital punishment and life imprisonment. She has gone to the extent of offering money to witnesses and has lured many of them by either giving them temporary rehabilitation or by giving them assurances of rehabilitation.
Teesta Setalvad has filed false affidavits on behalf of some of the fake witnesses in various cases connected to the Gujarat riots that are pending in various courts including the Supreme Court. Best Bakery Case is a burning example of the same.
Teesta Setalvad also tried to get the cases transferred out of the State of Gujarat on the ground that the offences allegedly committed have not been registered by police and no steps have been taken by the state machinery to punish the perpetrators.
10
7. THE INFAMOUS & FALSE RAPE STORY OF MADINA
Teesta Setalvad cooked up a rape story of a newly-wed lady called Madina. In order to create a fake story an affidavit purported to be made by one Nanoomiya Rasool Miya Malek, was filed by Teesta Setalvad before the Supreme Court alleging therein that Madina was raped. It was mentioned in para 12 of the same affidavit dated 15.11.2003 filed in Transfer Petition No. 194-202 of 2003 that:
I say and submit that 5 members of my neighbours family were burnt to ashes by seven people and I am eye witness and crouching to save my life but I saw what happened. Madina the daughter-in-law of the house whose marriage had been solemnized just a fortnight back and who had come to her martial home just two days prior of the incident is the only survivor. She was in terrible state when I managed to rescue her with others help. I say and submit that however could not prevent the awful crimes committed upon her family and her. I requested the Honble Court to keep the details of this rape victim confidential since she is alive and used only for the purpose of trial and conviction of the rapists.
In view of the above mentioned affidavit Nanoomiya Rasool Miya Malek was interrogated by the SIT to find out whether the alleged incident of rape of Madina actually took place. In his statement on 20.05.2008 before SIT Nanoomiya Rasool Miya Malek stated that he never said that Madina was raped and that Teesta Setalvad had thrust that content in his affidavit without his consent.
The relevant extract of his statement before SIT is as under:
In the affidavit filed by me before the Honorable Supreme Court I had stated that I have rescued the lady named Madina with the help of other persons and have stated that she was raped. However, I have not informed that said Madina was raped. However, the advocate who drafted the affidavit in English incorrectly mentioned the said fact. Even at the time of drafting of the said affidavit I informed Ms. Teesta Setalvad, who runs the NGO, not to mention the said incorrect fact in my affidavit and I strongly objected to the same.
Setalvad also persuaded the alleged rape victim Madina to file a false affidavit before the Honble Supreme Court dated 15.11.2003 in Transfer Petition No. 194-202 of 2003.
But in her statement before SIT on 20.05.2008 the alleged rape victim, Madina, denied that rape was committed on her and that she did not know the contents of her affidavit filed in Supreme Court since only her signatures were taken on the affidavit and the contents of the said affidavit were not known to her. 11
The relevant extract of her statement before SIT is as under:
Today you have taken out copy of the affidavit, which is in English of Nannumiya of Naroda Goan which stated that persons from the mob committed rape on me and asked me my reply with respect thereto and in reply I state that the said statement is not true. I state that no one has committed rape on me
The aforementioned facts demonstrate that Teesta Setalvad had fabricated the above mentioned affidavits to mislead the Supreme Court to believe that Madina was raped.
12
8. OTHER FALSE ALLEGATIONS OF RAPE MADE BY TEESTA SETALVAD
In the incidents of Naroda Gam and Naroda Patiya Riot cases in Gujarat; affidavit of six other persons having the same language were filed on 15.11.2003, making vague allegations of rape, mutilation and murder at the behest of Teesta Setalvad. The contents of those affidavits were mentioned in a news report 9 published by India Today dated 25.03.2010.
Teesta Setalvad has herself filed a false affidavit in the Supreme Court in SLP (Crl.) No. 1250 - 1253 / 2004: Zahira Habibullah Shaikh & Anr. Vs. State of Gujarat. In this case an affidavit of service was filed by Zahira Shaikh. But this affidavit 10 was signed by Teesta Setalvad on 16.02.04 subsequently filed in the Supreme Court on 24.12.2004.
The SIT report was submitted in the Supreme Court wherein it was mentioned that witnesses went to the Investigation Officer with typed statements of the incidents. Three of the witnesses stated that they were sent by Teesta Setalvad. Teesta Setalvad tutored witnesses to give false statements regarding the accused persons. The relevant extracts of the report of SIT submitted in the Supreme Court were reproduced in a news report published by The Times of India in an article 11 dated 16.04.2009.
The above said fact was also brought to the notice of the Honble Supreme Court by State of Gujarat, in para 9 of its affidavit dated 11.03.2010 filed in Crl.M.P. No. 19816 of 2009 in Writ Petition (Cri) No. 37-52 of 2002, in following words:
9. When the SIT was conducting further investigation as directed by this Honble Court, some persons purported to be the witnesses, came along with pre-typed and pre-signed statements and requested the SIT to take them on record. On further scrutiny and inquiry, such witnesses admitted before the officials of SIT that they have been given such pre-typed and pre-signed statements by Ms. Teesta Setalvad which are drafted by one learned advocate Shri N.M. Tirmizi. This fact from the report has been extensively reported by media.
In a rejoinder dated 23.04.2010 filed by Teesta Setalvad, in response to the above, she did not deny this contention of the State of Gujarat.
9 India Today news report: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221966156/
10 Zahira Shaikhs affidavit signed by Teesta Setalvad: http://www.scribd.com/doc/93780947/
11 Times of India article: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221964461/ 13
9. FALSE ALLEGATIONS IN NARODA PATIYA CASE THAT THE WOMB OF A PREGNANT WOMAN WAS RIPPED OPEN
It was alleged that in Naroda Patiya the womb of a pregnant woman - Kausar Bano was ripped open and the foetus was dangled on the tip of a sword. On 13.10.2009, Setalvad repeated the same allegation in her Application in Writ Petition (Crl.) No. 37-52 of 2002 for removal of members of the SIT in the following words:
23..e.g, in the Naroda Patia case, one Suresh Richard Chara who figures prominently in many witness statements (as many as 59) and also figured in Tehelkas Operation Kalank, continues to be out on bail intimidating witnesses even while the trial has commenced. Another accused against whom several witnesses have deposed to the gruesome slitting open of a pregnant womans womb also roams free in the area on bail.
The said incident was also stated in brief written submissions filed by Teesta Setalvad in Crl.MP No. 19816 of 2009 in Writ Petition (Crl) No. 37-52 of 2002 in the following words:
iv) 15 witnesses have named Babu Bajrangi Patel as the leader of the mob that slaughtered 95 people and of having personally killed many and having cut open the stomach / womb of Kausar Bano and killed her foetus (Ref Vol. B, Pg. 288-292). Despite this the SIT has not moved for cancellation of his bail. He roams free today to threaten and intimidate victims and witnesses. He has even been allowed to go abroad.
This shameful falsehood of Teesta Setalvad was exposed when during trial it came to light that the foetus of the said Kausar Bano Shaikh was intact and the sensational allegations were false.
The testimony of the doctor who did post-mortem on Kausar Bano Shaikh brought out this fact as reproduced in a news report 12 dated 18.03.2010 published in the newspaper Times of India under the Heading Docs testimony nails lie in Naroda Patia fetus story wherein it was mentioned that Dr. J.C. Konoria, who conducted the post-mortem on Kausar Bano Shaikh found the foetus intact in the womans womb itself.
12 Times of India new report: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221839434/
14
10. FABRICATED EVIDENCE PRODUCED IN GULBARG SOCIETY RIOTS CASE
Similarly fabricated evidences were produced by Teesta Setalvad regarding the incident in Gulbarg Society. She alleged that the then Police Commissioner of Ahmedabad, Mr. P. C. Pandey, did not take any steps to stop the rioting. She alleged that he in fact helped the rioters and allowed the riots to go on.
Teesta Setalvad also filed a writ petition numbered Writ Petition (C) No. 219 of 2006 before the Supreme Court praying for inquiry and action against Mr. P. C. Pandey for his failure to perform his duties. However, the Supreme Court dismissed her writ petition vide order dated 13.01.2009. Despite the said order, Setalvad made false allegations to implicate and wrongfully punish P.C. Pandey in various affidavits filed from time to time. The report of SIT mentions that Pandey was attending to the dead bodies from the Sabarmati Express at Sola Civil Hospital. These facts were mentioned in the SIT report and the relevant portions of the same were reproduced in the Times of Indias news report 13 of 14.04.2009.
On 5.10.2013, Rais Khan Pathan, ex aide of Teesta, wrote a letter 14 to the Chairman, SIT, Gandhi Nagar stating therein that Zakia Jafri (witness No. 337 in session case 152 of 2002) has given a false statement that:
..she only knows the name of Raiskhan through Teestaben Setalvad and has never met him and only knows him by name.
As per Rais Khan, Zakia Jafri visited Rais Khans office and his residence on several occasions and has lied under oath at the instance of Setalvad. Rais Khan has further requested SIT to interrogate Safdar Ankaleshwaria, brother-in-law of Zakia Jafri. According to him interrogation of Safdar Ankaleshwaria will also provide evidence of how false and fabricated affidavits were prepared and filed by Teesta Setalvad in various Courts and that payments to witnesses can be substantiated.
13 Times of India news report: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221841370/
14 Rais Khan Pathans letter to Chairman, SIT: http://www.scribd.com/doc/175914753/
15
11. RIOT WITNESSES WERE TUTORED BY TEESTA SETALVAD
It is now common knowledge that many riot witnesses were tutored. On 14.04.2009, the newspaper Times of India published a news report 15 that Gujarat riot witnesses were tutored by NGOs and social activist Teesta Setalvad.
One Yasmeen Bano Sheikh, prime prosecution witness in the Best Bakery Case, has also stated on oath, through an affidavit 16, 17 presented before the Bombay High Court that she was forced to depose falsely by Teesta Setalvad.
15 Times of India news report: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221841370/
12. TEESTA SETALVAD STALLED SMOOTH CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATIONS AND TRIAL
The constant attempts of Teesta Setalvad to stall the smooth conduct of investigations and trials has resulted in many accused being in jail for years together without trial. Many trials are proceeding, even now, on the basis of false evidences and tutored witnesses.
In November, 2010, Rais Khan Aziz Khan Pathan, who had worked as Coordinator in Citizen for Justice and Peace the NGO headed by Teesta Setalvad, filed an application under Section 311 of Cr.P.C. before the trial court to depose as a prosecution witness in Sessions Case No. 275 of 2002 and Criminal Case No. 152 of 2002 respectively to expose the illegalities and fraudulent activities of Teesta Setalvad.
What comes out from the above application is that fabricated affidavits were prepared under the instructions of Teesta Setalvad, who had given instructions to Rais Khan Pathan over email.
Thereafter, to conceal the contents of the emails, Teesta Setalvad arranged for hacking the email account of Khan and had its password changed. On 09.09.2010, Rais Khan Aziz Khan Pathan filed a police complaint 18 against Teesta Setalvad for hacking his email account for crimes under sections 65, 66 & 72 of the I.T. Act.
18 Rais Khan Pathans complaint: http://www.scribd.com/doc/74290418/
17
13. WITNESSES WERE PAID MONEY BY TEESTA SETALVAD TO GIVE FALSE STATEMENTS
The names of accused persons were put in police complaints solely on the basis of prior animosity whether or not they were actually involved in rioting. Raiskhan Aziz Khan Pathan filed an application 19 in Criminal Appeal No. 583-585 of 2006 stating that Teesta Setalvad and Ms. Manjula Rao, Govt. Advocate tutored Ms. Yasmeen Banu Ismail Bhai Sheikh, one of the prime witness in Best Bakery Case. It was further stated in the said application that:
payment to victims was not the priority of respondent no. 2 (Teesta Setalvad) but to the witnesses who agreed to depose at her tune. When the witnesses were paid Rs. 50,000/- or Rs. 100000/- the victims were getting only Rs. 5000/-.
Rais Khan therefore prayed for re-trial of Best Bakery Case.
On 20.12.2008, a leading newspaper - The Pioneer 20 - published that Godhra Riots witnesses received Rupees One Lac each. A host of Gujarat riots victims were misled into signing affidavits giving false information at the behest of Citizen for Justice and Peace (CJP). The cheques were distributed to the alleged eye witnesses. Yasmin Bano Sheikh (aunt of Zahira Sheikh) received Rs. 50,000/- by D.D. No. 567552 dated 01.08.2007. Among the recipients, four were Best Bakery case witnesses and nine were witnesses in other Gujarat riots cases.
Yasmin Bano Sheikh, prime prosecution witness in Best Bakery case, filed an affidavit 21 & 22 in court accusing Teesta Setalvad for forcing her to lie, in the trial court in Mumbai.
Rais Khan has also made this startling revelation about Teesta Setalvad, in an interview 23 , as to how she had illegally offered money to witnesses, created false evidences by luring them by either offering them temporary rehabilitation or giving them assurances of rehabilitation and / or by giving them money. He also revealed how she fabricated false evidence on their behalf before SIT and in various courts.
Raiskhan Aziz Khan Pathan also filed a suit 24 of defamation against Teesta Setalvad. After conducting an inquiry against Teesta Setalvad in the defamation case police had reported to the Court that allegations levelled by Khan were correct and well founded.
The Pioneer 25 , in its edition dated 28.6.2013 has also reported under the heading NGOs pocket funds for riot victims that from 2002 till May, 2013 a total of nearly 18
Rs. 1.50 Crore have been deposited in Teestas Bank Account. The excerpts of the said news are as hereunder:
At a time when Setalvads credentials are under suspicion, financial transactions of two Mumbai-based NGOs in which Teesta holds key positions - Sabrang Trust and Citizen for Justice & Peace (CJP) - revealed transfer of huge fund from the accounts of these NGOs to Teesta and her relatives personal accounts.
19 Rais Khans application in criminal appeal: http://www.scribd.com/doc/73349980/
20 The Pioneer article 1: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221845318/
23 Rais Khans interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92thZReqqf4
24 Rais Khans defamation suit: http://www.scribd.com/doc/99886625/
25 The Pioneer article 2: http://www.scribd.com/doc/150503287/
19
14. ILLEGAL DIGGING OF GRAVES BY TEESTA SETALVAD
One Rahul Singh, an erstwhile reporter of Sahara Samay TV Channel, has also filed an affidavit 26 narrating in details the intentional mis-statements of Teesta regarding digging of dead bodies buried at Pandarwada.
Although the bodies were buried after following due procedure, Teesta Setalvad did not tell him that the graves were legal. Teesta Setalvad directed Rais Khan to dig them and then went live on television to claim exactly the opposite!
The affidavit filed by Rahul Singh in Criminal Case No. Lunawada 1st CR No. 3/06 dated 18.02.2011 narrates in detail the illegal digging of graves orchestrated by Teesta Setalvad.
In his affidavit 27 dated 22.10.2011, Rais Khan stated that Teesta Setalvad is related to Muslim fundamentalists and that he has been threatened by her and her allies.
Rais Khan Pathan, wrote a letter 28 dated 3.10.13 to the Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad requesting him to interrogate Mr. R.B. Sreekumar, retired DGP, who according to Raiskhan tried to persuade him with veiled threats that either he should compromise with Setalvad or face the wrath of Muslim terrorists and other radical Muslim groups.
27 Rais Khans affidavit: http://www.scribd.com/doc/73540719/
28 Rais Khans letter: http://www.scribd.com/doc/174700943/
21
16. TEESTA SETALVAD MADE A FORTUNE FROM AWARDS, REWARDS AND DONATIONS
Despite her questionable methods and utter contempt for law, lives and truth, Teesta Setalvad has reaped millions through misplaced recognition and awards doled out to her by several organizations and people.
Teesta Setalvad received an award 29 from Federation of Indian Muslim Associations, Kuwait for her work.
Ford Foundation, in 2009, also gave a donation 30 of $ 250,000 to Sabrang Trust, of which Teesta and her husband Javed Anand are trustees.
On 7.10.2012 newspaper Sunday Pioneer 31 published that:
Humanistic Institute for Co-Operation with the Developing Countries (HIVOS) has given more 13 lakh Euros (approximately Rs. 9.25 crore) to various NGOs in Gujarat between April 2008 and August 2012.
It was further reported that:
HIVOS has also funded various NGOs in Mumbai and Delhi. Mumbai-based Citizens for Justice & Peace (CJP), run by Teesta Setalvad, has got 10,000 Euros, and Delhi-based ANHAD, run by Shabnam Hashmi, 4,000 Euros.
On 25.12.2012, The Pioneer 32 published an article under the heading, Teesta NGO unmindful to forex obligations that Teesta received donation of Rs. 10,00,000/- from Chatwal Group belonging to the infamous Sant Chatwal.
It is also a well-known fact that Setalvad and her NGO is constantly in touch with the government of the United States of America. The US Government regularly interacted with Teesta Setalvad's NGO, Citizens for Justice and Peace, as per document revealed by Wikileaks 33 .
29 Teesta Setalvad awarded by Kuwaiti Muslim association: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221849138/
30 Ford Foundation donation: http://www.scribd.com/doc/221849376/
17. TEESTA SETALVAD FLOUTS FCRA RULES AND COMPANY LAW
On 25.12.2012 The Pioneer published an article 34 Teesta NGO unmindful to forex obligations. It explained in much detail that Teesta Setalvads NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has violated major FCRA norms.
The news report states:
The FCRA permission granted on November 21, 2007 to CJP by the Ministry of Home Affairs mentioned that The bank account mentioned in your application should be used for receiving foreign contribution and no other amount should be credited to this account. However, a local donation of Rs 10 Lakh, received from The Chatwal Groups by cheque no 376284 dated 26/02/09, was deposited by CJP in this FCRA account. Another Rs 2 lakh, received from Saurya Foundation, was also received in FCRA account. These were in clear violation of condition mentioned in the FCRA registration.
Another condition of the FCRA permission was that The association cannot bring out any publication (Registered under PRB Act 1867) or act as correspondent, columnist, editor, printer or publisher of a registered newspaper. However, it is an open secret that Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand are editors of Communalism Combat (CC) magazine, which is registered with the Registrar of Newspapers. Their other company - Sabrang Communications & Publishing Pvt Ltd, is the printer and publisher of this magazine. Hence Teesta and Javed Anand, being editors, columnist and printer and publisher of a magazine have also violated this condition of FCRA permission, which attracts provision of Section 4(1) (b) of FCRA Act and is punishable under Section 6(1) and/or Under Section 23 (1) of the FCRA, 1976.
FCRA regulations do not permit NGOs receiving foreign funding to participate in political activities. However, Teesta was very active during the Gujarat elections.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India is taking legal action against Teesta Setalvad's company Sabrang Communications & Publishing Pvt. Ltd. as per a letter 35 dated 04.12.2013 for their failure to file Annual Returns and Balance Sheet for the year 2011-12. The letter states:
legal action is being taken against the company and its directors by issuing default notices in pursuant to section 162 and 220 of the Companies Act, 1956
34 The Pioneer article: http://www.scribd.com/doc/111123023/
35 Ministry of Corporate Affairs letter: http://www.scribd.com/doc/194200530/ 23
18. TEESTAS DISRESEPCT FOR THE HIGHEST COURT OF INDIA
Even though National Human Rights Commission, the apex statutory body for protection of human rights in India took cognizance of the Gujarat riots and the apex Court in the Country i.e. the Supreme Court of India was monitoring the Gujarat riots cases, Teesta Setalvad carried her false propaganda against the Courts in India in International Fora and advocated international monitoring of the riot cases, despite Indias Supreme Court reprimanding her for such activities.
During the proceedings in Writ Petition (Crl.) No. 109 of 2003 and 37-52 of 2002 dated 20.01.2011, Teesta had to file an affidavit and give an undertaking to the Supreme Court that she would not do so again.
This misconduct of Teesta Setalvad was brought to the notice of the Supreme Court by the SIT. Teesta Setalvad had earlier addressed two letters to SIT and endorsed their copies to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva. The SIT had placed copies of these letters before the Supreme Court.
Despite Supreme Court strictures, Teesta again presented a paper in the same year on 6th-7th July, 2011 in a workshop organized by OHCHR, Geneva at Bangkok, wherein she criticized Indian courts and recommended to the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that:
There is an urgent need for a regional Mechanism to Monitor, Document, Recommend the prosecution of perpetrator of Racial, Caste based, Linguistic or religious hatred.
24
19. TEESTA COLLUDED WITH ZAKIA JAFRI AGAINST MODI AFTER HAREN PANDYAS FAMILY REFUSED TO COLLABORATE WITH HER
Rais Khan Pathan alleges in a video recording 36 that Teesta tried to use him to bait the murdered Haren Pandyas family to collude with her in a case against Narendra Modi.
Aghast the family refused to co-operate with Teesta Setalvad. Haren Pandyas father infact commented that many people named in Teestas affidavit were in fact good people and that he knew them personally.
Disappointed by Haren Pandyas family, Teesta took Zakia Jafri, a riot victims help in filing cases against Narendra Modi that have since been dismissed by the courts.
36 Rais Khans video recording: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCC69sLzipE
25
20. JUSTICE AFTAB ALAM AND TEESTA SETALVADS NEXUS?
According to news report 37 published in The Pioneer on 20.02.2013:
A one-time associate of social activist Teesta Setalvad has moved an application 38 in the Supreme Court seeking withdrawal of Justice Aftab Alam from Gujarat riots-related cases. In his petition, Rais Khan Pathan alleged link between Setalvads NGO and the daughter of Justice Alam.
The applicant, Rais Khan, demanded that Justice Alam must withdraw from hearing the case in the interest of justice and dignity of the institution
The proximate financial and other links of Ms Shahrukh Alam with institutions, bodies, NGOs and individuals related to the Gujarat riots and various litigations ensuing from there, by their very nature require that Justice Aftab Alam (should) decline to adjudicate the present case, the application stated, demanding that the same be heard by a bench of which Justice Alam was not a member.
On 27.02.2012, Justice S. M. Soni, Former Judge, Gujarat High Court and Former Lokayukta of Gujarat wrote a letter 39 to the Chief Justice of India placing facts and quotes that revealed the communal mind-set of Justice Aftab Alam (Retd.) requesting him to transfer all the matters related to Gujarat riots before any other bench of which Justice Aftab Alam was not a member.
Justice Soni also wrote categorically about Gujarat riot cases filed by Teesta Setalvad in the Supreme Court being heard by the bench that included Justice Aftab Alam.
He also submitted the text of Justice Aftab Alams Gandhi Foundation 2009 Annual Lecture 40 at The Honourable Society of The Inner Temple, Temple Church, London on 14.10.2009. The lecture criticized many judgements of Indias Supreme Court of which he himself was a part at the time of the lecture!
37 The Pioneer news report: http://www.scribd.com/doc/222112054/
38 Rais Khans application: http://www.scribd.com/doc/129068317/
40 Justice Aftab Alams Gandhi Foundation 2009 Annual Lecture: http://www.scribd.com/doc/90858440/
26
21. TEESTA SETALVAD PURCHASED JEWELLERY AND WINE FROM FUNDS MEANT FOR RIOT VICTIMS
Both, Teesta Setalvad and her husband, have sought anticipatory bail through an application bearing Crl. Misc. Application No. 761 of 2014 before the sessions Court at Ahmedabad in the Gulbarg Society FIR (bearing C.R. No. I-01 of 2014).
During investigation, the Investigating Officer sought credit card details of Teesta from Citibank the details of which were shocking. The Credit cards were paid from bank accounts of Trusts run by her. On 18.03.14, the ACP, Cyber Cell, Crime Branch, Ahmedabad City filed an affidavit 41 in Criminal Misc. Application No. 761 of 2014, wherein it is stated on oath that:
huge expenditure has been made such as purchase of branded and costly shoes from Metro Shoes, Lord Shoes and Reebok Shoes, monthly hair styling expenses from Shivas Hair Designers Bombay, Geetanjali Salon Delhi, New Beauty Centre Mumbai, International Beauty Products Body Shop. Purchase of clothes from Fabindia, Westside, Pantaloons, United Color of Benetton in Rome, Shopperstop, Khadi from Islamabad, Marks and Spencer, Rita Bros Mumbai, Cotton Colour Mumbai, Madura Garments, Karlsburg Garments, Big Bazaar, Online shopping from FlipKart, Amazon Marketing, and purchase of Google Storage in US Dollars, purchase of electronic goods from Croma Mumbai, dining expenses at Hotel Taj, Out of the Blue, TGIF Bistros, Little Italy Restaurant, Caf Leopold, Rays Caf & Pizzeria Mumbai, Barbecue Nation, Music Systems from BOSE Corporation & Purchases of Music/Movies from Apple iTunes, Purchase of Jewellery from Amrapali Jewels, watches, suitcases, health equipments, gift articles from cottage industries/emporiums, Art Gallery from Islamabad, Plants from Flora Land and Green Grower Mumbai etc.
The affidavit further states that:
the most shocking revelation came from the payment made by accused no. 1 (Teesta Setalvad) from the CJPs account towards wine and liquor purchases from Chincholi wines Mumbai
It has also been stated in the affidavit that out of Rs. 7.16 crore (approx.) received by Teesta Setalvad as donation, she has transferred and / or spent about Rs. 2.67 crore for her personal use.
In fact, Teesta Setalvad and her husband, Javed Anand, in a joint affidavit filed by her on 20.03.2014, in the Sessions Court, Ahmedabad, admitted and stated that:
27
I submit that these expenses were incurred by me, Teesta Setalvad and indeed are of a personal nature
Teesta, in para 9 (vi) of her affidavit also stated that:
Since we live in the State of Maharashtra, and not Gujarat, there is nothing shocking about expenses on wine purchases
The rejoinder affidavit 42 filed by ACP, Cyber Cell, Crime Branch, Ahmedabad City on 24.03.2014 also states the same.
22. SHASHIKANT, AN INNOCENT VICTIM OF TEESTAS MISDEEDS
Shashikant Patil, a convict in the Naroda Patiya incident, has been in jail for 12 years on trumped up murder and rioting charges. His case, to implicate Teesta for perjury, is pending adjudication in the Supreme Court.
Shashikant, despite the witness testimony of a Muslim lady proclaiming him innocent, is languishing in jail like many other innocent victims of Teesta Setalvads web of lies and perjury.
There is overwhelming evidence against Teesta Setalvad for committing perjury in many other court cases. These cases for perjury, lies and deceit are pending adjudication in various courts across India.