Peace Meetings or National Security Threat? CBI"s Contradictory FIR Against Teesta Setalvad

New Delhi:  As a court in Mumbai gets ready to hear the plea for anticipatory bail by the activist Teesta Setalvad, questions remain over whether the claims of guilt being made by the CBI against her are grounded in facts.

The basic charge, on the basis of which the CBI has registered an FIR is that her organisation, Sabrang Communication and Publishing Pvt Limited (SCPPL), had received Rs 1.5 crore from the Ford Foundation despite not having the requisite clearance under the laws.

But the CBI’s FIR, reviewed by NDTV, has accused Ms Setalvad’s organisation not just of violating foreign exchange laws, but of threatening national security.

It says SCPPL’s activities constitute an “interference towards the internal security of India”, “prejudicially affect(ing).. harmony between communities”.



 



But as per the FIR, the activities of SCPPL are to



 

• “Organise public meetings for peace”


• “Educate lawyers on misuse of criminal law”


• “Create strong civil society voices… to engender peace”


• “Media advocacy on sensitive reporting on communities”

 

It is unclear how such activities could be interpreted as constituting a national security threat or creating communal tensions. If anything, they suggest the reverse.

 

In its application arguing against the grant of bail to Ms Setalvad, the CBI expands on the same theme, saying that company is involved in a “deep seated conspiracy”, for which it needs to carry out “sustained custodial interrogation” in “isolation”.

Her lawyers have pointed out that such demands are normally made in cases where the charges are of terrorism, not financial improprieties.

Several human rights groups, political parties and lawyers have criticised the government for its heavy-handed action against Ms Setalvad, which they say suggests the setting of political scores.