Ex-justice’s appeal to apex court: Clarify on Teesta Setalvad

If the learned judges remain silent, the inference is obvious and my plea to heaven is justified: Madan B. Lokur

Justice Lokur.: File picture

TT Bureau   |   New Delhi   |   29.06.22  : Former Supreme Court judge Justice Madan B. Lokur has wondered whether the apex court bench intended or suggested the arrest of human rights defender Teesta Setalvad who is now in Gujarat police custody.

“…If I am not wrong, may I earnestly appeal to the learned judges to immediately issue a clarification that it was neither their suggestion nor their intention that Teesta be arrested? The learned judges should also direct the unconditional release of Teesta with immediate effect and quash her arrest and continued detention,” Justice Lokur wrote in The Wire, the news portal, in a comprehensive analysis of the apex court bench’s judgment on Friday in the Gulberg Society massacre case.

In the FIR against Setalvad and others, the Gujarat police had cited some observations in the judgment.

“If the learned judges remain silent, the inference is obvious and my appeal to heaven is justified,” Justice Lokur added.

Earlier in the article, Justice Lokur had written that “however, if I am wrong in my assessment and the Supreme Court did intend or suggest Teesta’s arrest, heaven help us, please”.

The former judge wondered why the Gujarat anti-terrorism squad was asked to pick up Setalvad when none of the charges against her were linked to terrorism.

“None of these are ‘terrorist’ offences, so why was the Anti-Terrorism Squad sent to arrest her? Full marks if you can answer this,” Justice Lokur wrote.