‘Interference In India’s Independent Judicial System:’ MEA’s Response To UN’s Comment On Setalvad’s Arrest

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday responded to a comment by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding Teesta Setalvad’s arrest in connection with a case of fabricating evidence to frame innocent persons in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots. Terming the statement as “completely unwarranted” the union ministry said that the remarks are “an interference in India’s independent judicial system.” 

"We have seen a comment by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) regarding legal action against Teesta Setalvad and two other persons.The remarks by OHCHR are completely unwarranted and constitute an interference in India's independent judicial system,” said Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs. 

The ministry further in its statement said that labelling of such legal action was “misleading and unacceptable.” 

“Authorities in India act against violations of law strictly in accordance with established judicial processes. Labelling such legal actions as persecution for activism is misleading and unacceptable,” he said. 

An Ahmedabad court on Sunday had remanded Teesta Setalvad and former state director general of police RB Sreekumar in police custody till July 2 in a case of fabricating evidence to frame innocent persons in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots. 

Former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt who is serving life sentence in a custodial death case and is lodged in a jail in Palanpur in Banaskantha district, will be brought to Ahmedabad on a transfer warrant.

The three persons are accused of abusing the process of law by conspiring to fabricate evidence with an attempt to frame innocent people for an offence punishable with capital punishment in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots.

Reacting on the same, UN Human Rights voiced its concern on detention of Setalvad and called for her immediate release.

“#India: We are very concerned by the arrest and detention of #WHRD @TeestaSetalvad and two ex police officers and call for their immediate release. They must not be persecuted for their activism and solidarity with the victims of the 2002 #GujaratRiots," UN Human Rights tweeted Tuesday.