Teesta has tough questions to answer

New Delhi, Feb 13: The Supreme Court will today hear an appeal filed by activist Teesta Setalvad challenging the rejection of her anticipatory bail plea by the Gujarat High Court.

The Gujarat High Court had rejected her bail plea stating that she cannot be armed with this privilege after allegations of her not cooperating with the investigation was made.

Immediately after the order, senior advocate Kapil Sibal orally made a mention of the matter before the Supreme Court which while staying the arrest of Teesta also granted her time to file an appeal. The matter will be taken up for hearing today.

The case against Teesta:

The crime branch of the Gujarat police had booked cases of cheating and breach of trust. The allegation was pertaining to the funds collected under the pretext of setting up a Museum of Resistance at the Gulbarg society in Ahmedabad.

A victim from the Gulbarg society, which was burnt in the riots of 2002 had complained against Teesta and the NGO's Citizens for Justice and Peace and Sabrang Trust, alleging misappropriation of Rs 1.51 crore.

In the complaint, it was stated that Teesta and the rest had collected funds assuring the victims that a museum would be built in a part of the Gulbarg society. It was further alleged that the decision to construct the museum was taken in the year 2006. Based on this part of the land meant for the museum was sold to the Sabrang trust.

The issue began when in 2012 the decision to build the museum was dropped. The prices of land had sky rocketed and hence the decision to construct a museum on the site was dropped is what has been alleged in the complaint.

Were funds collected after plan was dropped:

Looking at the complaint it states that Teesta continued to collect funds, despite the idea of setting up the museum being dropped. Before the Gujarat High Court several affidavits were filed. The court expressed concern that the affidavits told a shocking tale of how funds were collected in the name of victims and used for personal and materialistic purposes.

• What does the crime branch want to know?
• Did a former minister contribute Rs 1.39 crore to the NGO run by Teesta?
• Why was the amount transferred to the Sabrang publication private limited?
• What are the details of the money withdrawn from the account of the trust?
• If money was spent then are there documents and vouchers for the same?
• Did she travel abroad with the funds donated to the trust?
• Were there personal expenses borne on the money of the trust?