New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday extended its interim order restraining the Gujarat police from arresting social activist Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand in connection with the misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore meant for Gulbarg Society’s rehabilitation plan.
A new bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and Adarsh Goel passed the interim order of staying the arrest of both Setalvad and Anand’s arrest till its further order.
The Supreme Court directed Setalvad and her NGO to provide a detailed list of documents and donors to the Gujarat police for further investigation.
The apex court also made it clear that if Setalvad and her husband did not co-operate in the investigation, the Gujarat police, if felt the need, could file an application for cancellation of their interim bail.
Earlier during the hearing, the Supreme Court asked the Gujarat government why Setalvad and her husband were required for custodial interrogation in the case.
It also noted that it could be a matter of curtailing somebody’s liberty.
The Supreme Court was hearing the anticipatory bail application of Setalvad and her husband Javed.
The Gujarat police wanted the couple and others to question them in connection with the case of alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore meant for the Gujarat’s Gulbarg Society’s rehabilitation plan.
Gulbarg society in Gujarat was badly devastated during the post-Godhra riot in 2002.
Earlier, Setalvad’s anticipatory bail plea in connection with the case was rejected by the Gujarat High Court on February 11, as a result of which they knocked the doors of the Supreme Court for relief.
Besides the couple, former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri’s (who was killed in Gujarat during the 2002 riots) son Tanvir Jafri are accused of misappropriating funds worth over Rs 1.5 crore.
An FIR had been filed last year against the activist and others for allegedly misappropriating the Rs 1.5 crore funds meant for the riot victims.
Denying any misuse of funds, Setalvad had blamed political motives behind the case. (UNI)
