Teesta Setalvad/CPI(M) bribed riot witnesses before trial, threatened others

While the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), Inc. (World Hindu Council of America) cleared its stand on the alleged response by Sonal Shah to the unfounded accusations which were part of the Anti-Hindu communal propaganda by Evangelic-Leftist groups in the US. The truth about known Anti-Hindu bigot Teesta Setalvad was exposed a few days ago by the victims of the riots that happened in Gujarat after the terrorist attack in Godhra by Muslims. 58 Hindus (including 20 children, 15 women, and 23 men) were burnt alive using 140 liters by Muslim Terrorists as proved by the Nanavati-Mehta Commission report made public recently. And then happened despicable violence in its aftermath. As per the figures given by the Union Minister of State for Home Prakash Jaiswal, who belongs to the Congress Party, in Parliament on May 11 2005, 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus were killed in the riots, 2548 people were injured and 223 people were missing.

The revelation a few days ago was that a host of Gujarat riot case victims were misled into signing affidavits giving false information at the behest of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), an NGO headed by Teesta Setalvad. Teesta Setalvad willfully fabricated and submitted incorrect information to Courts.

Daily Pioneer has brought out another revelation about Teesta who is one of the many fanatic Pseudo-Secular fundamentalist out there who don't believe in Majority Rights. Apparently, Teesta's Gujarat-based NGO processed payment from CPM relief fund to pay the witnesses just before the trial.

A controversial Gujarat-based NGO was instrumental in organising payment of Rs 1 lakh each to as many as ten witnesses in various post-Godhra riot cases. The money came from the CPI(M) relief fund and was distributed months before the witnesses deposed in the courts, five years after the clashes took place. Four other eyewitnesses received Rs 50,000 each.

The revelation comes in the backdrop of reports that a host of Gujarat riot case victims were misled into signing affidavits giving false information at the behest of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), an NGO headed by social activist Teesta Setalvad.

Incidentally, those who were both victims and eyewitnesses received Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 while the victims got mere Rs 5,000 each. This has raised eyebrows over the selection of beneficiaries and the purpose of paying a disproportionately large sum to the eyewitnesses before the trial.

Chief Coordinator of CJP Rais Khan told The Pioneer that he had submitted the name of beneficiaries to the CPI(M) on instruction from Teesta Setalvad. “Setalvad identified the people and I merely followed her instruction and forwarded the list to CPI (M),” Khan said.

When contacted, Setalvad said she was present at the function on an invitation from the CPI(M) and had nothing to do with fund raising. “It was CPI(M) money and I was a mere guest at the function,” she claimed.

Yasin Naimudin Ansari, one of the eyewitnesses who got one lakh rupees, told The Pioneer on phone from Ahmedabad that he was approached by someone from Teesta Setalvad's organisation. "I vaguely remember this. But I don't remember the name of the person," he said.

The function took place in Ahmedabad on August 26, 2007 and the witnesses were handed out demand drafts by CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat, Teesta Setalvad and Rais Khan.

The Pioneer is in possession of letters written by beneficiaries thanking Brinda, Teesta and Rais Khan for the payment.

Yasmin Banu Ismailbhai Shaikh (aunt of Zahira) of Baroda, who received Rs 50,000 (DD No 567552 dated August 1, 2007). Yasmin is a complainant in case No. 114/04 at Baroda. It is interesting to note that, when no substance was found in her complaint, she was directed to face lie detection test by the court and ever since she has not appeared in the court.

Among the recipients are four Best Bakery case witnesses and nine are appearing as witnesses in Ahmedabad-related Naroda Patia, Shahpur, Khanpur and other 2002 riot cases.

The information has been gleaned through a string of petitions under the Right to Information Act by one H Jhaveri from various agencies, including banks.

For list of the witnesses who were allegedly bribed by Teesta and CPI(M) just before the trial can be obtained here at "Godhra riot witnesses got Rs 1 lakh each".

As a consequence of the above revelations, Teesta Setalvad's former confidant Raees Khan has filed a FIR against her for threatening him.

"I have filed an FIR (First Information Report) against Teesta today at Rakhial police station. She is behind the threatening calls that I am receiving for the past couple of days," said Raees Khan, a former confidant and once the coordinator here for Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP).

Khan said late on Friday evening that he had to take this step as calls were made to him from Ahmedabad railway station warning him and his family of dire consequence if "I turn out to be a nuisance to Teesta".

"Do not say anything about Teesta. Do not address the media. Keep strictly away from media persons. Even if one word is spoken against Teesta, you and your family will have to pay a heavy price," Khan quoted the caller as saying.

"Today my application was accepted by the Rakhial police inspector and also an FIR was filed. I also met the assistant commissioner police and told him the reason behind my seeking police protection," Khan said.

In his complaint, Raees Khan has directly accused Teesta. "If I am attacked or if anything happens to my family, I will hold Teesta personally responsible," Khan said in the FIR, adding that though he had no enmity with Teesta, she was hounding and threatening him.

"'I will send you to a place from where you will not return', Teesta had warned me recently when I asked for my two months' salary dues," Khan said.

Raees Khan is in the eye of the storm after he was accused of distorting facts in affidavits of the six Naroda Gam witnesses viz., Madina Pathan, Maqsoon Pathan, Rafiq Sheikh, Mohammed Malik, Rafiq Malik and Rahim Malik when he filed their affidavits in 2003.

These witnesses have deposed before the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) that they did not know about the content of affidavits filed before the Supreme Court.

"I did my duties diligently at the office located at Shahpur and all went well until 2007 when she unceremoniously sacked me. She was at her abusive best when she showed me the door," Khan said.

"I have not been paid my two months' salary. The computer and the fax machine and other stationery items belonged to me as I had purchased with my own money and have receipts to prove it. Yet she has taken all of it, claiming that it belonged to her. When I demanded that my property be returned, she said she would fix me in such a way that I will be rotting behind bars for the rest of the life," Khan told IANS.

He also alleges that yet, when he went ahead undeterred and demanded his dues he was approached by people close to Teesta who advised him not to tangle with Teesta.

"'She is too powerful and she can harm you irreparably. It is better you keep away from her', they had advised me," Khan said.

Their FAKE Secularism stands exposed!