Supreme Court Issues Formal Notice In Teesta Setalvad's Appeal, To Hear Finally On July 19

The Supreme Court today adjourned the plea filed by Teesta Setalvad challenging the order of the Gujarat High Court which had rejected her regular bail application, after the state of Gujarat requested for an adjournment. The matter was kept today after the Court stayed the High Court's order in a special sitting on Saturday night.

The Bench of Justice BR Gavai, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Dipankar Datta issued notice to the respondents, since during the last hearing, the state of Gujarat had appeared on caveat. The Court has listed the matter for a final hearing on 19 July at 2 pm. The Court also extended the interim order until further orders.

Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Chander Uday Singh appeared for Teesta Setalvad and said that they are ready for a hearing.

Appearing for the respondents, ASG SV Raju submitted that some more documents are to be produced, and sought an adjournment. The ASG opposed the extension of the interim order until further orders. The Court said that it will not adjourn the hearing on the next posting since three benches are disturbed to constitute the present bench.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared virtually and submitted that the ASG will lead the arguments in the matter and that he will also be present during the hearing.

The Court had on July 1, 2023, in a special hearing at around 9.25 pm, granted a stay of the impugned order passed by the High Court for a period of one week. It was noted that the Single Judge of the High Court ought to have granted at least some protection so that the petitioner had sufficient time to challenge the order.

Before the Apex Court, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that such extraordinary efforts from the Apex Court were not called for in the matter. He had submitted that it should only do what it does when an ordinary citizen whose bail is rejected approaches the Court. Mehta said that an ordinary citizen who approaches the Court in appeal surrenders in compliance with the impugned order before challenging that order.

The High Court had noted that prima facie, Teesta has exploited the feelings of minorities by provoking them and manipulating things. The Supreme Court on September 2, 2022, granted an interim bail to Setalvad and directed the High Court to finally decide the matter.

Cause Title: Teesta Atul Setalvad v. State of Gujarat Special Leave Petition (Criminal) Diary No. 25725/2023