Gujarat High Court Grants Interim Bail To RB Sreekumar Who Was Arrested Along With Teesta Setalvad

The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to former Gujarat Director General of Police RB Sreekumar, who was arrested for allegedly fabricating evidence to implicate high functionaries in Gujarat riots larger conspiracy case.

A single bench of Justice Ilesh J Vora granted interim bail till November 15. The order stated as follows :

"Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties and considering the fact that charge-sheet is filed before the Court concerned, I am inclined to exercise enlarging the applicant on interim bail and accordingly, the applicant shall be released on interim bail till 15.11.2022, on executing personal bond of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten Thousand only) before the Jail authority on usual terms and conditions. The applicant is directed to deposit his passport within a week from the date of his release from jail. The applicant to surrender before Jail Authority on completion of interim bail, without fail".

Mr. Y.N Ravani, assisted by Mr. Kalpesh Shastri, represented Sreekumar and Mr. Mitesh Amin, ublic Prosecutor assisted by Mr. Manan Maheta, APP appeared for the State.

Sreekumar was arrested on June 25 by the Gujarat ATS along with human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, a day after the Supreme Court dismissed the petition filed by Zakia Jafri seeking probe into larger conspiracy behind the Gujarat riots.

While dismissing the plea alleging larger conspiracy into Gujarat Riots, the Supreme Court had observed that the petition was filed with "ulterior motives" to "keep the pot boiling". The Court further said that action should be taken against those who abused process of law.

In its order the SC observed that a "coalesced effort" of disgruntled officials from Gujarat and others was to make false sensational revelations, which the Gujarat SIT "exposed."

On September 2, the Supreme Court had granted interim bail to Teesta Setalvad till the time the Gujarat High Court decided her bail application.

Sreekumar, who was the Additional Director General of Police at the time of the 2002 riots,  had testified against the administration before the Nanavati-Mehta Commission in relation to the Gujarat riots.

Click here to read/download the order