SC reserves order on Teesta Setalvad plea to defreeze bank account

The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its order on noted social activist Teesta Setalvad's plea regarding defreezing of her bank account and the NGOs.

A division bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Dipak Misra and comprising Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, was hearing the arguments.

The Gujarat Government told the division bench of the apex court that Teesta had allegedly spent an NGO's money, meant for secular education, for her personal purpose including liquor consumption.

In her defence, Teesta refuted the Gujarat Government's allegation and told the court that the State Government was harassing her and wanted to paralyse her activities.

She said to the SC, "Only Rs. 7,850 were spent on liquor over seven years and the expenditure was approved by Ford Foundation which donated money. Is it a crime?"

Teesta Setalvad is accused of corruption and misappropriation of funds which was meant for rehabilitation of Gujarat riot victims.

Teesta, her husband and the two NGOs - Sabrang Trust and Citizens for Justice and Peace - approached the apex court challenging the October 7, 2015, verdict of the Gujarat High Court, which had rejected their pleas for defreezing their personal bank accounts.

One of the residents of Gulberg Society had filed a complaint against Setalvad and others alleging that money was raised to make a museum at Gulberg Society in the memory of those killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots, but it had not been utilised for the purpose.

The high court had upheld the verdict of a lower court in this regard observing that the probe was at a serious point. In their plea before the apex court, the petitioners have alleged that their accounts were "illegally freezed" without following the due process of law.

-ANI