Rais Khan Pathan, a former employee of social activist Teesta Setalvad promoted NGO Citizen for Justice and Peace (CJP), in his letter to Special Investigation Team (SIT) chairman claimed that Zakia Jafri, widow of slain Congress MP Ehsaan Jafri, has lied on the oath before the designated court that she never met him. But the fact is she knew him very well. On that basis, he demanded interrogation in the interest of justice.
Zakia Jafri had also filed a criminal complaint against Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and 61 other high ranking officers. According to Khan, the complaint was filed by Jafri on the aid and advice of Teesta Setalvad.
Along with the letter to the chairman, SIT Pathan has also submitted a copy of CD of the recorded telephonic conversation between him and Safdar Ankaleshwaria, brother-in-law of Zakia Jafri, who called Khan after the deposition of Zakia Jafri, as witness in the Designated Court at Ahmedabad.
In her deposition on October 22, 2010, she stated, “I know Teesta Setalvad since last 3-4 years. I know Rais Khan via Setalvad and I have never met him and only know him by his name.” She also admitted that Safdar Ankaleshwaria is her brother-in-law.
Khan claimed that after her deposition in the court, Safdar Ankaleshwaria, called him on November 27, 2010. He had recorded the entire conversation with Ankaleshwaria due to security reasons. According to him, Ankaleshwaria admitted that Zakia Jafri knows him quite well and it was Pathan who used to take her to the courts and offices of the advocates. Ankaleshwaria also admitted that Zakia Jafri visited his office and residence on several occasions. Hence “from the recorded conversation it is proved beyond doubt that Zakia Jafri has lied on oath before the Designated Court”, claimed Khan.
Khan demanded that a thorough interrogation of Safdar Ankleshwaria would reveal the truth which is necessary for appraising the Designated Court to arrive at a just decision.
He also stated that interrogation of Ankaleshwaria will also provide evidence of how false and fabricated affidavits were prepared and filed by Teesta Setalvad in various courts including payment to witnesses.
Interestingly, Zakia Jafri in her affidavit before the Supreme Court stated that Rais Khan was associated with the Citizen for Justice and Peace -- an organisation created after the carnage in 2002, and has eminent persons from the society as its trustees. He has singularly supported the victims in their pursuit of justice and consistently followed up on the cases.”