The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed social activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand to cooperate with the Gujarat Police relating to a case filed in opposition to them over alleged misappropriation of funds.
After Additional Solicitor-General SV Raju submitted that the couple weren’t cooperating within the probe, a three-judge bench of the apex courtroom headed by Justice SK Kaul handed the order.
“Charge sheet has not yet been filed. ASG submits that there is an element of lack of cooperation. Be that as it may, the respondents will cooperate with the investigation as and when required,” stated the bench, additionally comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and PK Mishra.
The high courtroom disposed of a plea by the Gujarat authorities difficult the grant of anticipatory bail within the matter and in addition disposed of Setalvad’s plea in search of the expungement of remarks made by the Gujarat High Court in its February 8, 2019 judgement whereas granting her anticipatory bail, saying that it will not have any affect within the trial.
The case of alleged misappropriation of funds was registered by the Ahmedabad Crime Branch on a criticism accusing Setalvad and Anand of “fraudulently” securing grants of Rs 1.4 crore from the union authorities via their NGO Sabrang Trust between 2008 and 2013.
Notably, Setalvad and two others – former state Director General of Police R B Sreekumar and former Indian Police Service officer Sanjiv Bhatt – have been arrested by town crime department in June 2022 on fees of forgery and fabricating proof with the intent to implicate the Gujarat authorities functionaries within the 2002 riots instances.
A periods courtroom had rejected Setalvad’s discharge plea within the case in July after the Supreme Court granted her bail following the denial of aid to her by the Gujarat High Court. Setalvad then moved the Gujarat HC in search of quashing of the FIR.
Earlier this month, Setalvad’s home was searched by the probing officers as half of raids in 30 places linked to digital information web site NewsClick on and a few journalists related with the media firm.
(with PTI inputs)
