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Teesta Setalvad-Early Life and Education

Teesta Setalvad, an Indian human rights activist and journalist, was born on February 9, 1962 (age 61 as of 2023) in Bombay (now Mumbai). She completed her schooling in 1979 and began pursuing a law degree. However, she left her law studies midway and obtained a bachelor's degree in Philosophy (Honours) from Elphinstone College, University of Mumbai, in 1983.

Career as a Journalist

After graduating, Setalvad embarked on her journalism career in 1983. She worked as a columnist for The Daily (India), The Indian Express, and the Business Magazine. Notably, she extensively covered the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and played a crucial role in reporting on the event. In 1992, during the Hindu-Muslim riots in Mumbai, Setalvad and her husband, Javed Anand, decided to leave their mainstream journalism jobs and establish their monthly reporting magazine called Communalism Combat. Dissatisfied with the limited coverage allowed by the mainstream media, they aimed to provide comprehensive reporting on riots and communal issues. In the same year, Setalvad and Javed co-founded a news media agency called Sabrang.

Name	Teesta Setalvad
Born	February 9, 1962
Birthplace	Mumbai
Age (by 2023)	61 years
Father	Atul Setalvad
Mother	Sita Setalvad
Husband	Javed Anand
Wedding	1987
Children	One son Jibran Anand and one daughter Tamara Anand
Sister	Amily Atul Setalvad (businesswoman)
Profession	Human rights activist and journalist
Education	Bachelor of Education in Philosophy (Hons)
Religion	Zoroastrian
Arrest	(June 2022)
Bail	(September 2022)

Contributions and Publications

Throughout her career, Setalvad and Sabrang published several influential articles and reports on significant social and communal issues. In 1998, they published the widely acclaimed article titled "Damning Verdict: Report of the Srikrishna Commission," focusing on the 1992-93 Mumbai riots and the 1993 Mumbai bomb blast cases. In 2000, Sabrang released another article titled "Saffron on the Rampage: Gujarat's Muslims Pay for the Lashkar's Deeds," shedding light on the communal riots that occurred in Gujarat that year. In 2002, in collaboration with South Asia Citizens Web (SACW), Sabrang published "The Foreign Exchange of Hate: IDRF and the American Funding of Hindutva," a report addressing the flow of funds from an NGO named India Development and Relief Fund (IDRF) to the Sangh Parivar.

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Personal Life and Family

Teesta Setalvad comes from a Parsi family with a notable legal background. Her grandfather, M. C. Setalvad, served as the first Attorney General of India from 1950 to 1963. Her father, Atul Setalvad, was a lawyer based in Mumbai. Her mother's name is Sita Setalvad, and her sister, Amili Atul Setalvad, is a businesswoman. Setalvad is married to Javed Anand, an Indian journalist and civil rights activist, since 1987. They have two children together: a son named Jibran Anand and a daughter named Tamara Anand, who is a photographer.

Recent News and Controversies

Teesta Setalvad has been involved in various legal battles and controversies related to her activism. In July 2022, she was arrested by the Gujarat police ATS on charges of allegedly presenting false facts and evidence against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in relation to the 2002 Gujarat riots. However, the Supreme Court granted her one week's interim relief, staying the Gujarat High Court's order directing her immediate surrender.

Arrest by Anti Terrorism Squad

In June 2022, activist Teesta Setalvad was arrested by the Anti Terrorism Squad of Gujarat Police. She was subsequently remanded to police custody until July 1.

Amnesty International's Response

Amnesty International India denounced Setalvad's arrest as a "direct reprisal" against human rights activists. The organization expressed concern over the targeting of activists in such a manner.

Protests Against the Arrest

Following Setalvad's arrest, citizens organized protests in Kolkata and Bangalore to express their disapproval of the action taken against her. The demonstrations aimed to bring attention to the perceived targeting of human rights activists.

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Supreme Court's Observation

On September 1, 2022, the Supreme Court of India raised concerns about the case against Setalvad. The court noted several irregularities, including the absence of a chargesheet during her two-month custody, the timing of the FIR registration after the dismissal of Zakia Jafri's case, and the granting of a long adjournment by the Gujarat High Court. The Supreme Court acknowledged that no offenses prohibited the Gujarat High Court from granting bail.

Interim Bail Granted

In response to Setalvad's situation, the Supreme Court granted her interim bail the day after the aforementioned observations. The decision was based on her gender, leaving the determination of regular bail to the Gujarat High Court.

Social Activism: Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) and Zakia Jafri's Legal Battle Against Narendra Modi

In 2002, Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand established Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), a prominent Non-governmental Organisation (NGO). Collaborating with renowned figures from various fields, including Father Cedric Prakash, Anil Dharker, Alyque Padamsee, Javed Akhtar, Vijay Tendulkar, and Rahul Bose, the couple aimed to champion social justice and advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.

CJP filed multiple lawsuits in 2002, targeting individuals allegedly involved in the 2002 Gujarat Riots, including the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi. On 10 June 2002, Teesta Setalvad testified before the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, accusing Narendra Modi of playing a role in the riots. Consequently, the United States imposed a ban on Modi's entry into the country. However, this ban was lifted in 2014 when Narendra Modi became the 14th Prime Minister of India.

In 2013, as a response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by CJP, the Supreme Court ordered a fresh series of investigations against the accused individuals involved in the Gujarat riots. The NGO achieved another victory when the Supreme Court ruled in their favor to transfer the "Best Bakery Case" from the Gujarat High Court to the Bombay High Court. Unfortunately, by early 2014, all the petitions filed by CJP were dismissed by the Supreme Court.

Apart from her work with CJP, Teesta Setalvad founded the Women in the Media Committee, which provided a platform for women in the media industry to voice their workplace challenges. Additionally, in the early 2000s, when she served as General Secretary of the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Setalvad spoke out against the nuclear arming of both India and Pakistan.

Filing a joint petition with Zakia Jafri, a survivor of the Gujarat riots, CJP accused Narendra Modi of instructing the Gujarat police not to take action against the rioters in 2002. The petition listed 21 accusations against Modi, including allowing the provocative parading of Hindu victims' bodies and giving cabinet ministers control over the Gujarat police control room. On 27 April 2009, the Supreme Court established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by R. K. Raghavan to investigate nine incidents related to the riots.

The SIT submitted its report to the Supreme Court on 14 May 2010. However, in response to CJP's petition, the Supreme Court ordered the SIT to conduct further investigations due to discrepancies in the report. The SIT submitted the final report on 5 May 2011. Raju Ramachandran, appointed as amicus curiae by the Supreme Court, observed significant discrepancies in the SIT's report and stated that Sanjiv Bhatt, an IPS officer present at the meeting, claimed Modi instructed the police to "teach the Muslims a lesson."

Disagreeing with the amicus curiae's findings, the SIT filed a closure report on 8 February 2012, citing no conclusive evidence against Narendra Modi and the other accused. Consequently, on 10 April 2012, the Supreme Court acquitted all the accused. Dissatisfied with the decision, Zakia Jafri and CJP filed a protest petition on 15 April 2013, demanding access to the evidence submitted by the SIT to examine it.

The SIT, in its official statement, accused Teesta Setalvad and others of falsifying the complaint against Chief Minister Narendra Modi, stating that he had never instructed anyone to go and kill people. The SIT's statement further claimed that Teesta Setalvad was not present during the alleged incident and that there was no evidence to support her claims.

Despite the setbacks in the legal battle, Teesta Setalvad and Citizens for Justice and Peace remain committed to their social activism. The organization continues to advocate for justice, human rights, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Setalvad's efforts have garnered both support and criticism, highlighting the polarizing nature of her work and the controversies surrounding the Gujarat riots and Narendra Modi's alleged involvement.

The legal journey of CJP and Zakia Jafri against Narendra Modi serves as a significant chapter in the history of social activism in India. It raises important questions about accountability, justice, and the role of civil society organizations in pursuing truth and advocating for marginalized communities. The outcome of these legal battles continues to be a topic of debate and reflection in the country, showcasing the complexities and challenges inherent in the pursuit of social justice.

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An established author

Teesta Setalvad, an established author and activist, has written several books that cover various social and political issues. Here are some of her notable publications:

"Gujarat: The Making of a Tragedy" (2002): Teesta Setalvad contributed a chapter titled "When Guardians Betray: The Role of the Police" to this book, which focused on the 2002 Gujarat riots.

"Gujarat: Behind the Mirage: a Collection of Informed Arguments" (2014): Setalvad authored this book, presenting pieces of evidence and arguments related to the 2002 Gujarat riots.

"Foot Soldier of the Constitution: A Memoir" (2017): Setalvad published this memoir, offering insights into her experiences and activism as a defender of constitutional rights.

"Sanvidhanacha Jaglya Mazya Aathavani" (2019): Setalvad wrote this book in Marathi, exploring constitutional issues and their impact on society.

"Beyond Doubt - A Dossier on Gandhi’s Assassination" (2020): Setalvad published this book, which delves into the events leading to Mahatma Gandhi's assassination and the aftermath of this historic event.

"Delhi’s Agony" (2021): Setalvad co-authored this book, shedding light on the agony faced by the people of Delhi during a particular period.

Controversies

Teesta Setalvad has been involved in several controversies that have garnered significant attention. It is important to note that these controversies have generated debates and varying opinions. Here are some of the controversies associated with her:

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Manipulation of witnesses:

Setalvad has faced accusations of tampering with evidence and presenting false and misleading information in court. In one instance, she was accused of pressuring a witness, Zaheera Sheikh, who was also a victim of the Gujarat riots, to give certain statements in order to transfer the case outside of Gujarat. The Supreme Court later observed that the witness's statements were inconsistent, leading to questions about the credibility of the victim.

Exaggeration of claims:

Setalvad has faced criticism for allegedly exaggerating and presenting false stories related to the Gujarat riots. In one case, she was accused of sharing a story about a pregnant Muslim woman, Kausar Bano, who was said to have been gang-raped and had her uterus forcefully removed. However, investigations conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) found that these claims were heavily exaggerated. The Supreme Court commented on the need for a balanced perspective, highlighting the importance of considering ground realities and efforts made to control the situation.

Embezzlement:

Setalvad and her husband, Javed Anand, faced accusations of misappropriating funds collected from the Gulbarg Society, a society that was targeted during the Gujarat riots. Allegations were made that the funds collected in the name of supporting riot victims were used for personal gain or diverted for purposes other than intended. However, the residents of Gulbarg Society later clarified that the letter accusing Setalvad was falsely written and dispatched to the police by miscreants. The NGO, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), also clarified that no funds were collected from the residents of Gulbarg Society, and the money raised for the construction of a museum came from various national and international sources.

It is worth noting that these controversies have sparked intense debates, with supporters viewing Setalvad as a fearless activist fighting for justice, while critics question her integrity and raise concerns about the veracity of her claims. These controversies highlight the complexities and challenges associated with activism in high-profile.

Illegally accepting donations from abroad

Teesta Setalvad and her organizations, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) and Sabrang Communications, have been involved in a controversy related to the acceptance of donations from abroad without the necessary registration under the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA). According to Indian law, an NGO can only accept foreign donations if it is registered under the FCRA. However, from 2004 to 2014, before their registration, CJP and Sabrang Communications received a substantial amount of $290,000 from the Ford Foundation, which had come under scrutiny by the Gujarat government for interfering in state matters. As a consequence, the Indian government revoked Teesta Setalvad's NGO license in 2016. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) released an official statement explaining the cancellation, stating:

"Prima facie violations of various provisions of FCRA were noticed. An on-site inspection was conducted at its Juhu Tara office, and on 9 September, the FCRA registration was suspended. Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Aanand were issued a show cause notice and given a personal hearing. Finally, on 16 June, the registration was cancelled with immediate effect."

The Khoj Case

Teesta Setalvad and Javed Anand also faced allegations regarding their NGO, Khoj, which aimed to provide education to underprivileged individuals. In March 2018, a close associate of Teesta and Javed, Raees Khan Pathan, filed a First Information Report (FIR) against them, accusing the couple of spreading hatred through their NGO by mixing religion with politics. Pathan further alleged that Rs 1.4 crore granted to the NGO by the Government of India between 2008 and 2014 under the National Policy on Education scheme had been misappropriated. Teesta and Javed were charged under sections 153A and 153B of the Indian Penal Code. In 2019, the Gujarat High Court granted them anticipatory bail.

Arrested by the Gujarat Police

In June 2022, Teesta Setalvad was arrested by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of the Gujarat Police after the Supreme Court rejected a joint plea from Zakia Jafri and Teesta Setalvad. The arrest was made on charges of procuring false and misleading documents to frame the then Gujarat government led by Narendra Modi. The Gujarat Police filed charges against Teesta under Sections 468, 471 (forgery), 194 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offense), 211 (instituting criminal proceedings to cause injury), 218 (public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save a person from punishment or property from forfeiture), and 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. The Supreme Court, in an official statement, remarked:

"Teesta has been vindictively persecuting this lie for her ulterior design by exploiting the emotions and sentiments of Zakia Jafri. The proceedings have been pursued for the last 16 years to keep the pot boiling, for ulterior design. However, the court has observed that it does not wish to get into the locus of Teesta Setalvad in the litigation and has kept it to be decided in an appropriate case. All those involved in such abuse of process need to be in the dock and proceeded with in accordance with the law. The appeal against the 2012 decision of the court is with malafide intent and under the dictation of someone."

Accused of collaborating with the late Congress leader Ahmed Patel

In July 2022, Teesta Setalvad's bail plea faced litigation in the Supreme Court, filed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The SIT accused Teesta of colluding with the late Congress leader Ahmed Patel to destabilize the Gujarat government led by Narendra Modi. They alleged that Teesta had met Ahmed Patel in New Delhi and received Rs 30 lakh to fabricate false charges against government officials. The SIT's public interest litigation (PIL) stated:

"Setalvad used to meet leaders of a prominent national party in power at that time in New Delhi to implicate names of senior leaders of the BJP government in riot cases."

Teesta responded by filing a counter PIL against the SIT, refuting all accusations. She denied filing litigations with the intention of destabilizing the government. On September 2, 2022, the Supreme Court granted her interim bail in a 2002 Gujarat riots case related to alleged forgery and fabrication of records. The three-judge Special Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India U. U. Lalit, considered interim bail appropriate since Teesta had already undergone seven days of custodial interrogation. Following the denial of her bail plea by the trial court, she had applied for regular bail and interim bail in the High Court. After the High Court rejected her interim bail plea on August 3, 2022, she appealed to the Supreme Court against both lower court rulings.

Awards, Honors, Achievements

 

Year	Award
1993	Journalism for Human Rights Award by People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)
1993	Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Women Mediaperson by The Media Foundation
1999	Hakim Khan Sur Award by Maharana Mewar Foundation
2000	Human Rights Award by Dalit Liberation Education Trust
2001	Pax Christi International Peace Award
2002	Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award by Indian National Congress
2003	Nuremberg International Human Rights Award for Social Activism by Germany
2004	Defender of Democracy Award by Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA)
2004	M.A. Thomas National Human Rights Award by Vigil India Movement
2006	Nani A Palkhivala Award by Tata Group
2007	Matoshree Bhimabai Ambedkar Award by Sambodhi Pratishthan of Satara
2007	Padma Shri for Public Affairs by the Government of India
2009	FIMA Excellence Award by Federation of Indian Muslim Associations in Kuwait

Teesta Setalvad owns a bungalow named Nirant in Mumbai, located on Juhu Road. It is claimed by various sources that her bungalow is nearly three times the size of Amitabh Bachchan's Jalsa bungalow. The estimated value of Nirant is between Rs 400 to Rs 600 crore. The property also features a 3-acre lawn.
 

Facts/Trivia

In 2020, she was honored with an Honorary Doctorate by the British Columbian University.
After her arrest in 2022, Home Minister Amit Shah criticized Teesta Setalvad and her NGO, Citizens for Justice and Peace, accusing them of conspiring against Prime Minister Narendra Modi

. In an interview, Amit Shah mentioned that he had carefully read the judgment, which clearly mentioned Teesta Setalvad's name. He also claimed that her NGO had provided baseless information about the riots to the police.

Teesta Setalvad advocates for friendly India-Pakistan relations and is a member of the Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy.

During an interview, Teesta Setalvad mentioned that she had a stormy relationship with her mother but had a closer bond with her father and grandfather.

Many renowned journalists believe that Teesta Setalvad is being targeted by the authorities due to her open criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indira Jaising, in an interview, stated that the case against Teesta seemed to be a plan to deter her and her NGO from assisting the victims of the Gujarat 2002 riots. She also expressed concerns about the timing, disproportionate legal process, and the prosecution's insistence on custodial interrogation, which she deemed as an act of vendetta.