Teesta Setalvad

Extra Bio Info:

Teesta Setalvad was detained for her human rights work supporting minority religious communities. 

On June 25, 2022, an antiterrorism squad in Mumbai arrested Setalvad, a human rights activist and vocal advocate for victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots, for seeking prosecution of senior government officials complicit in the violence. Authorities accused Setalvad of forging evidence against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat during the 2002 riots.  Setalvad’s prosecution came a day after the Supreme Court dismissed a petition by her challenging a report by a special investigative team that absolved Modi of involvement in the riots.

Setalvad was reportedly charged with “forgery for purpose of cheating” (Sec. 468 IPC), “using as genuine a forged document or electronic record” (Sec. 471 IPC), "giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence" (Sec. 194 IPC), “false charge of offence made with intent to injure” (Sec. 211 IPC), "public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save person from punishment or property from forfeiture" (Sec. 218 IPC), and conspiracy (Sec. 120B IPC).

On September 2, 2022, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Setalvad.

On September 3, 2022, Setalvad was released from prison.

On September 20, 2022, the Gujarat Special Investigation Team filed a charge sheet against Setalvad accusing her and others of colluding in an effort to implicate Modi and other government officials with crimes punishable with death.