Ahmedabad: A Sessions Court here on Thursday denied controversial NGO operator Teesta Setalvad’s request to be discharged from the 2002 Godhra riots evidence fabrication case. The accusations against Setalvad are related to her alleged involvement in creating false documents and influencing witnesses to implicate higher officials of the Gujarat government, which was led by then Chief Minister Narendra Modi, in the Godhra riots case.

The Additional Sessions Judge Ambalal Patel had reserved the decision after the arguments were concluded on July 12. As a result of this ruling, Setalvad will have to face trial in the evidence fabrication case. Announcing the decision he said that he believes there is sufficient prima facie evidence to proceed with charging the accused individuals.

The decision to reject her discharge plea occurred shortly after the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices BR Gavai, AS Bopanna, and Dipankar Datta, set aside a Gujarat High Court order that had denied bail to Setalvad.

Setalvad was taken into custody by the Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad one day after a Supreme Court judgment in 2022, where the top court also expressed that those responsible for defaming the State after the 2002 Gujarat riots should be held accountable.

In September 2022, the Supreme Court granted Setalvad interim bail in this evidence fabrication case. However, earlier this month, the Gujarat High Court rejected her regular bail plea and issued an order for her immediate arrest. Subsequently, the Supreme Court provided interim protection to Setalvad until the matter could be heard again by the higher court. Finally, the Supreme Court ordered that she should remain on bail and set aside the High Court’s directions, as stated in a recent order. DeshGujarat