Contempt of court: SC allows Zahira to file a review petition

New Delhi, Apr 10: The Supreme Court today dismissed an application filed by Zahira Sheikh, key witness in the Best Bakery riot case, seeking to recall its earlier order sentencing her to one year simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50000 for making a false statement on affidavit.

A Bench, comprising Mr Justice Arijit Pasayat and Mr Justice H K Sema, however, granted her liberty to file a review petition against the court order holding her guilty of contempt of court.

The Court also rejected the plea of D K Garg, Counsel for Zahiira seeking her release on parole for a week.

The Court pointed out that this application was infact a review petition.

The Court also pointed out to Garg that affidavit in support of the application was not signed by Zahira and it was only signed by advocate's clerk.

The court cautioned Garg that keeping in view her past conduct it is not safe to file an application supported by an affidavit signed by his clerk.

Zahira has shought mercy from the court on the grounds that she was illiterate, was manipulated by politicians and was too poor to bear the fine.

The Court said even now she was not coming out with the truth.

She has not disclosed the name of politicians by whom she was manipulated.

She had earlier made allegation against social activist, Teesta Seetalwad.

In the Best Bakery case, 14 people were burnt alive during the Gujarat violence in the aftermath of the Godhra train fire.

When all the 21 accused in the case including BJP MLA Madhu Srivastav were acquitted, the Supreme Court had ordered re-investigation and re-trial in the case and also transferred the case from Gujarat to Maharashtra using its power under Article 142 of the constitution.

UNI