Press Statement by Committee for the Defence of Teesta Setalvad and Justice in Gujarat

Press Statement

Committee for the Defence of Teesta Setalvad and Justice in Gujarat

Nawab Building, 2nd Floor, 327, Dr. D.N. Road, Mumbai - 400 001

28th July, 2011

A.) Reason for the formation of the Committee:

Subversion of Justice is not a new Phenomena in the process of its administration. The recent turns of events in cases following the communal carnage in 2002 have borne its maximum brunt.

Citizens concerned for justice of the victims of Gujarat carnage have formed a Committee for the Defence of Teests Setalvad and Justice if Gujarat. The Committee would undertake appropriate action and activities to see that either Teesta Setalvad nor anybody is victimised for working for the cause of justice.

The Committee would also defend the Human Rights of vulnerable sections and would include but not limited it to monitoring cases slapped on Teesta Setalvad, to stand in solidarity with her to bring about detailed facts to the people pertaining to the selective victimisation of Teests Setalvad and those fighting for the cause of justice in Gujarat. The ultimate objective is to allow the Law and process of justice to take its own course without being subverted or influenced by vested interests.

The Committee thus in the process will gradually bring out the truth before the people of this country through statements, meetings, engagements with the media and all available other platforms. The Committee seeks to address issues not only from the legal angle but also look at Human Rights abuses in the wider ambit of achieving equitable social justice for all. The Plight of Muslims is not vibrant in so called “Vibrant Gujarat”

B.) Justice P.B. Sawant (Retd. Justice Supreme Court as Chairperson:

The Committee is headed by Shri P.B. Sawant, Retd. Justice, Supreme Court of India as the Chairperson, Shri Suresh Mehta, Fmr. Chief Minister, Gujarat & Dr. Azgaralli Engineer the Vice Chairpersons, Shri B.A. Desai, Sr. Adv. & Fmr. Addnl. Solicitor General of India is the Convener & Shri Irfan Engineer, All India Secular Forum is the Jt. Convener. 700 Eminent Persons from all over India are its members.

C.) Vadodara District Committee :

While the Committee was formed in Mumbai in May 2011 it is felt that the real work of the Committee is in Gujarat. The Committee is happy to announce that the first such District Committee in Gujarat is being set up in Vadodara, a great city of Sayajirao Gaikwad Maharaj with Prof. Juzer Bandukwala as President.

It is proposed to set up such District Committees in 19 Districts where such communal carnages have taken place in 2002.

D.) Teachings of Mahatma Gandhi :

The Committee also propose to propagate the true philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi as there is systematic effort by communal parties to destroy Gandhisam by making him a God, subverting and distorting his teachings and particularly the Concept of Communal Harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi was a Hindu and he had abiding faith in Hinduism. According to him "You cannot be a true Hindu if you hate any other religion. I consider myself a follower of Islam, Christianity, Zoroaster’s and every other religion because I am a true Hindu".

Mahatma Gandhi stated “Religion is not a part of nationality but a personal matter”. Man & his God, Religion is a personal affair of Hinduism. It must not be mixed up with Politics and National Affairs. The Committee in association with its distinguished members will Spread true teachings of Mahatma Gandhi!

In the dismal scenario where Violence in the name of Religion & Culture is becoming more frightening, the need for Beacon Light giving the Message of Peace is being felt very acutely.

E.) Immediate Concerns: -

To Gujaratis feel sad that a criminal trial in Best Bakery had by order of Supreme Court transfered to another State. Shri Rais Khan, then Secretary, Committee for Justice and peace played an Active role in giving aid support to the victims of Communal Carnage.

In spite of humiliation of transfer of Cr. Trial of Best Bakery case to another state, Zahira Shaikh once again turned hostile second time and Hon’ble Court sentenced her to one year in prison which she served. Best Bakery Case resulted in conviction.

We are not going into the details of subsequent events as the facts are well known to the people of Gujarat & particularly Vadodara.

Teests Setalvad is the grand-daughter of the doyen of India Bar Attorney General, M.C. Setalvad. She is a Gujarati and naturally felt that she should go to the succor of the victims of communal carnage. Also because she herself is a journalist & Editor of Communal Combat magazine.

It was felt that such winning over of the witnesses or making them turn hostile would stop.

F.) Yasmin Shaikh

One Yasmin Shaikh was an important witness it was alleged that she was tutored by Teesta Setalvad. The Trial Court negatived this accusation, squarely holding in 2006 that “The signs of having been tutored were not found while analysing the witness evidence.” After several years Yasmin Shaikh have moved the Bombay High Court that Teesta Setelvad influenced her to testify against the accused!

G.) Naroda Gam Case

Same Rais Khan, referred to above, who was dismissed from service with CJP has now made similar accusations against Teesta Setalvad and Naroda Gam Case and Police have registered a Cr. Case against her and she had to take protection from the Gujarat High Court by obtaining interim anticipatory Bail!

Shri Rais Khan is filing complaint in various fora alleging that Teesta Setalvad has tutored witnesses.

It is apprehended that many such cases may be filed against Teesta Setalvad and others who are helping the victims. There is a method in madness i.e. to muzzle the voice of Teesta and Ors. by getting them some how arrested. Hence the need for such Committee headed by Hon’ble Justice P.B. Sawant.

H.) Pandharwadas Mass Graves Case

This is another case which is foisted on Teesta Setalvad. It is not necessary to state details of this case. Suffice to say that the Police has filed charge sheet against relatives and friend of Massacred Victims and Rais Khan, under Sections 193, 194, 195,196 199 and 200 of I.P.C.

Same Rais Khan has made a confessional Statement in this case under Section 164 of Cr.Pr. Code making similar allegations against Teesta Setelvad. Teesta Setelvad is alreadey granted Anticipatory Bail by the High Court.

On 29th July 2011 Teesta Setalvad is summoned by Lundwadda Police Station! It is feared that to overcome Anticipatory Bail, Lundwadda Police may register a New Offence of Non-Bailable nature and arrest her!

Office bearers of said Defence Committee and Members are going to Lundwadda to give support to Teesta Setalvad.

Prof. Juzer Bandukwala Senior Advocate B. A. Desai
Vice President Convener