2002 Godhra Riots Case: Gujarat High Court refuses urgent hearing to Teesta Setalvad in quashing plea

The Gujarat High Court Wednesday refused to grant an urgent hearing to rights' activist Teesta Setalvad, who has sought to quash the case lodged against her for alleged evidence fabrication in relation to the 2002 Godhra riots [Teesta Atul Setalvad vs State of Gujarat]..Single-judge Justice Sandeep Bhatt refused to grant an urgent hearing as her matter was listed as item number 230 today."There is no question at all. I can't grant urgent hearing especially when admission matters of 2018 are still pending. You know the practice of this court no out of turn consideration pls. If your matter reaches today then I will hear it but if not then a shortest possible date will be given," Justice Bhatt said..Setalvad was arrested a day after a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court made adverse remarks against her on June 24, 2022 while dismissing the plea by Zakia Jafri, wife of slain Congress Member of Parliament (MP), Ehsan Jafri who was killed during the 2002 Gujarat Riots.She was charged with conspiracy and fabricating evidence to implicate higher functionaries of the then Gujarat government in the 2002 riots cases.Later in September 2022, the Supreme Court granted her interim bail in the case. She was asked to approach the Gujarat High Court for regular bail.By a detailed order on July 1, a single-judge bench of Justice Nirzar Desai of the Gujarat High Court, denied her regular bail observing that enlarging her on bail would deepen the communal polarisation in the State.Subsequently, she moved the Supreme Court for regular bail.On July 19, the apex court granted her regular bail observing that the findings of the Gujarat High Court denying her bail were perverse.A day later, a sessions court in Ahmedabad rejected her application seeking discharge from the case.She then moved the High Court with the plea to quash the case. On August 3, Justice Samir Dave recused from the case.