Victim status is becoming a tool to grab power and privilege for the already privileged ones. It is becoming a misused phenomenon, leading the actual victims under the spectrum of scrutiny. Its recent relevance can be seen with Teesta Setalvad experiencing undue privileges while being accused. She is overtly playing the victim card for availing an interim bail.
The undue favourism to Teesta Setalvad
On September 2, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to journalist-activist Teesta Setalvad. She was accused of fabricating the documents in the Gujarat communal riots of 2002 to implicate high government functionaries. The bench that granted her bail plea comprised of Chief Justice of India U U Lalit with Justices Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia.
While hearing the plea, the Supreme Court prima facie told Gujarat that Teesta has already undergone seven days of custodial interrogation. Thus, her interim bail is granted due to “favourable treatment” considering that she is a woman, under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC). The court also noted that Setalvad has been in custody for over two months now since her arrest in Mumbai on June 25.
Apart from this, the Supreme Court directed that Teesta had to surrender her passport to be kept under the safe custody of the lower court, while the High Court considered the question of regular bail. In addition, she should strengthen complete cooperation in the investigation.
Additionally, the hearing Bench left the decision entirely to the High Court to look into her pending plea for regular bail, “independently and uninfluenced” by the observations made by the apex Court in its interim bail order.
The Court also made it clear that Teesta’s interim bail order should not be used in favour of the co-accused. If required, their bail plea will be addressed on individual bases in the future.
Read more: The many crimes of Teesta Setalvad that landed her in custody
The favouritism in interim bail
Interestingly, the phenomenon of “feminism” has now made its way into the hearing of the apex court. It’s a blatant fact that many in the 21st century are misusing the sympathy given to women. The victim card that is being played by people like Teesta Setalvad is in reality an obstruction to the original women victims who will probably now be denied the required sympathy.
Just like Teesta, the privileged people get unaffected even after loads of illegal and illegitimate activities by them. Their journey starts with scamming and further continues with favourable treatment. As a cherry on top, various opposition parties also tend to support them merely for their dirty politics.
Evidently, the Supreme Court granted bail to Teesta Setalvad on the mere basis of being a woman, which is an absolute gesture of favouritism. It’s reprehensible for a country where equality lies at its behest.
Read more: The Sonia Gandhi connection of Teesta Setalvad must be probed
Teesta has a list of charges against her
For those unaware, Zakia Jafri, who had filed the petition claiming that a larger conspiracy behind the riots was there, had the support of Teesta’s NGO. The activist has been the lynchpin of everything wrong with the perception of PM Modi. She had used PM Modi and Gujarat riots for her pecuniary gains. From the best bakery case to the “macabre tale of killings” and duping the riot-affected Muslims, Teesta has done it all.
R K Raghavan, a former CBI director, who headed the SIT formed to probe PM Modi’s role in the 2002 riots, accused her of cooking macabre tales of killings. In his report, Raghavan investigated most of the cases related to the riots and found that Teesta Setalvad was a connecting link in almost all of them.
As reported by TFI, Teesta has been charged under Section 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), Section 471 (dishonestly uses a genuine document), Section 194 (providing or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence), Section 211 (false charge of offense made with intent to injure), Section 218 (public servant framing incorrect record or writing with intent to save a person from punishment or property from forfeiture), and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.
Surprisingly, even after loads of charges levied against her, Teesta Setalvad has been granted interim bail on the basis that she is a woman. Does that mean that women can now commit any crime because, ultimately, they’ll be able to receive favouritism? Apparently, the XX chromosome can now indulge in any illegal activity and further get away with it easily as they are “women”.
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