The Supreme Court of India on Sept. 2 granted “interim bail” to detained human rights activist Teesta Setalvad. The justices observed that, while the high court must decide whether Setalvad is ultimately released on bail, the court is free to decide “whether the custody of the appellant must be insisted upon during the consideration of matter.”
Setalvad was arrested on June 25, accused of fabricating documents related to the 2002 anti-Muslim Gujarat riots, and faces charges including forgery and criminal conspiracy. However, human rights groups have questioned the charges against her. Amnesty International India called Setalvad’s arrest a “direct reprisal against those who dare to question” Indian authorities’ human rights practices.
From Jurist, Sept. 4. Used with permission.
See our last report on the Teesta Setalvad case.
Photo via Boomlive
India: free speech battle over Gujarat genocide
India has banned a BBC documentary, India: The Modi Question, critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged role in the deadly riots in Gujarat in 2002. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting issued orders to block the documentary under “emergency powers.” Calling the two-part film a “propaganda piece,” the government ordered Twitter to take down more than 50 tweets linking to the documentary while YouTube was instructed to block any video uploads.
A screening of the documentary at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University on Jan. 24 was disrupted by the authorities, who allegedly cut the power and internet lines to the office of the students’ union which had organized the event. Local media reports said stones were thrown at students watching the film. (CNN, Al Jazeera)
India Supreme Court allows petition of 2002 genocide victim
The Supreme Court of India on Jan. 8 allowed a petition by Bilkis Bano against the early release of convicts involved in the 2002 Gujarat communal riots. The 11 individuals were charged with the gang-rape and murder of Bano family members, and convicted in 2008. (Jurist)