New Delhi: India dismissed as “completely unwarranted” the remarks by the UN Human Rights office over the arrest of social activist Teesta Setalvad and said these comments “constitute an interference” in the country’s independent judicial system.
The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has voiced concern over the arrest and detention of social activist Setalvad and called for her immediate release.
“#India: We are very concerned by the arrest and detention of #WHRD @TeestaSetalvad and two ex-police officers and call for their immediate release. They must not be persecuted for their activism and solidarity with the victims of the 2002 #GujaratRiots,” the UN Human Rights office said in a tweet.
Responding to media queries on the remarks, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “We have seen a comment by OHCHR regarding legal action against Teesta Setalvad and two other persons.” “The remarks by OHCHR are completely unwarranted and constitute interference in India’s independent judicial system”.
“Labeling such legal actions as persecution for activism is misleading and unacceptable,” he said.
A court in Ahmedabad remanded Setalvad and former state director general of police RB Sreekumar in police custody till July 2 in a case of fabricating evidence to frame innocent persons in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots.
