The Gujarat Government on Wednesday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing the anticipatory bail granted to social activist Teesta Setalvad.
The affidavit stated how by “diverse methods” Teesta and her husband “misappropriated” funds from the trusts meant for serving Gujarat riot victims and used it instead to meet personal expenses. The State police claimed that the two trusts run by Setalvad — Sabrang Trust and Citizen for Justice and Peace (CJP), received enormous foreign contributions to erect a museum in honour of the riot victims at Gulbarga Society.
The transaction details obtained of the bank accounts maintained by the trusts revealed how money was embezzled for personal use. The affidavit gave details of vouchers giving dates and amounts incurred on consumption of wine, whiskey and rum, purchase of movie CDs, purchase of personal items, wining and dining at some of the best restaurants and fast food outlets of Mumbai.
Under the heading of “secular education” and “legal aid expenses”, the police found out that Setalvad claimed reimbursement towards purchase of sanitary napkins in the name of medical expense and “surprisingly” even her husband claimed reimbursment citing same reason.