In a shocking development, the Gujarat government submitted crucial information to the Gujarat High Court, claiming that former Congress leader Ahmed Patel had allegedly paid ₹30 lakhs to activist Teesta Setalvad. The alleged payment was intended to undermine the image of the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and overthrow his government in the aftermath of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
During the bail hearing of Teesta Setalvad, who stands accused of fabricating evidence in the 2002 Gujarat riots case, the state’s prosecution vehemently opposed her release. Public Prosecutor Mitesh Amin argued that Setalvad had received substantial funds from Ahmed Patel to orchestrate a larger conspiracy aimed at implicating the state government during the riots.
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According to Amin’s statement in court, Setalvad allegedly collaborated with retired DGP RB Sreekumar and former IPS Sanjiv Bhatt, whom he referred to as “tools,” to execute their plan. The prosecution claims that false FIRs were lodged against specific individuals to further their agenda.
Ahmed Patel’s Involvement in Funding Teesta Setalvad
Ahmed Patel, a close confidante of Sonia Gandhi and a key political adviser, allegedly assured Setalvad that financial support would continue to flow. Patel, who succumbed to COVID-19 in November 2020, has now been implicated in this ongoing controversy.
BIG BREAKING: Prosecution in the 2002 Gujarat riots case tells Gujarat HC that Congress leader Ahmed Patel had paid ₹30 lakhs to Teesta Setalvad, Sanjiv Bhatt & RB Sreekumar to hatch a ‘larger conspiracy’ behind the riots to pin the blame on the State Government at the time. pic.twitter.com/YhVAviS7tO
— Law Today (@LawTodayLive) June 14, 2023
The prosecution’s arguments highlight Setalvad’s alleged plot to secure a death sentence for Narendra Modi, who was the Chief Minister at the time of the riots. The chargesheet filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in 2022 also detailed Setalvad’s alleged misuse of funds collected in the name of the riots for personal gain.
Teesta Setalvad, who claims to be an activist, was arrested in June 2022 by the Gujarat ATS on charges of forgery, witness tampering, and influencing the investigation of the 2002 Gujarat riots. These riots were a consequence of the Godhra Train burning incident, where a Muslim mob set fire to a Sabarmati Express bogey, resulting in the deaths of 59 Hindus.
The case against Setalvad gained traction after the Supreme Court cleared Prime Minister Modi of any wrongdoing in the 2002 Gujarat riots. Setalvad was granted bail on September 2, 2022, by the Supreme Court.
The prosecution’s presentation of evidence will continue on June 22, 2023. As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how the court will evaluate the allegations against Ahmed Patel and Teesta Setalvad, and what impact this revelation may have on the political landscape in Gujarat.
