The Gujarat High Court today directed the state government to submit its report on police’s investigation after lodging of an FIR against social activist Teesta Setalvad for allegedly posting objectionable pictures of Hindu deities in 2014.
During a brief hearing on Setalvad’s plea to quash that FIR, Justice N V Anjaria sought to know from the state government whether the police have done any investigation in the case after the FIR was lodged.
The high court further asked the government whether it wishes to share that report with the court.
Responding to the court’s query, public prosecutor Mitesh Amin informed the judge that police has done its investigation and the government is willing to share the report with the court.
The high court directed the government to submit the report by March 1, when next hearing would take place.
Ghatlodia police station here is probing the case against Setalvad after the FIR was filed against her in August 2014 by local VHP leader Raju Patel.
Setalvad had allegedly tweeted a photo-shopped picture of an ISIS terrorist having morphed heads of Hindu gods killing an American journalist James Foley, drawing parallel between gods and goddesses and ISIS extremists.
Setalvad had, however, later removed the posts from her Twitter account after people objected to it.
She was charged with Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 153(a) for promoting enmity between two religious groups and section 205(a) for committing a deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting religion or religious beliefs along with sections of IT Act.
The high court had in August 2015 exempted Setalvad from appearing in person before Ghatlodia police station every month while granting her anticipatory bail in connection with the FIR.
( Source – PTI )
