India has hit back at the United Nations for its remarks supporting Teesta Setalwad and condoling her arrest in relation to the 2002 Gujarat riots case. Setalwad, along with and retired police officials ADGP R.B Sreekumar and DIG Sanjiv Bhatt have been charged for allegedly conspiring to fabricate facts and documents, tutor witnesses, and abuse the process of law by making up false evidence to frame people in the 2002 Gujarat Riots Case.
In a statement Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “We have seen a comment by OHCHR regarding legal action against Teesta Setalvad and two other persons. Authorities in India act against violations of law strictly in accordance with established judicial processes. Labeling such legal actions as persecution for activism is misleading and unacceptable.”
Following the arrest of the three persons, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) tweeted that this was a matter of concern. The body said that Setalvad and the other two officers should not have been arrested for activism and standing in support of the victims of the Gujarat riots.
Setalvad has also received massive support from many civic bodies and individuals in India. The representatives from various civil society members and individuals found it unfortunate that those who were seeking justice have found themselves in the dock, without getting an opportunity to be head.
