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Synopsis

The Supreme Court has recently deferred hearing after the Central Bureau of Investigation and Gujarat Government has sought custody of Teesta Setalvad and her husband.

A bench of Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice BV Nagarathana raised the query that "Question is how long can you keep someone in custody. Seven years have passed since anticipatory bail was granted. You want to send her back to custody".

The bench was hearing a batch petitions filed by the Gujarat police, CBI, Teesta Setalvad and her husband Javed Anand, all filed over the three FIRs that had been filed against the couple.

Advocate Rajat Nair appearing for CBI and the State Government submitted that some more material is needed to be placed before the court, in view of the same 4 weeks time may be granted.

Nair sought 4 weeks time to place additional material on record while stating that there are more than one cases against Setalvad.

In accordance with the prior directive, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Setalvad and her husband provided a note to the bench outlining the issues surrounding which appeals should be taken up for consideration and what exactly has to be decided, as some concerns may have been resolved with the passage of time.

The bench has now listed the matter after 4 weeks.

Feroz Khan Saeed Khan Pathan accused Teesta Setalvad and her husband, who served as trustees for the "Citizens for Justice and Peace" (CJP) and "Sabrang Trust" trusts, of soliciting millions of rupees in donations from certain Indian and foreign donors by portraying the plight of the Gulbarg Society residents who had been affected by the riots.

The couple, according to Pathan, failed to construct the museum as promised, use the funds for the benefit of the Gulbarg Society members, or keep their commitment to the victims that they would sell their properties.

The CBI's plea has been filed against anticipatory bail being granted to Setalvad and her husband, who are being investigated for allegedly abusing foreign funds

According to the investigation agency, the couple's company, Sabrang Communication and Publishing Pvt Ltd (SCPPL), received Rs 1.8 crore from the Ford Foundation in the US without first obtaining the necessary Center approval.

Case Title: Teesta Setalvad Vs. State of Gujarat