In a relief for human rights activist Teesta Setalvad, the Gujarat High Court on Wednesday quashed two FIRs registered against her allegedly for uploading objectionable tweets showing Hindu deities in a bad light. The FIR was registered at Ghatlodia police station and C Division police station in Bhavnagar in August 2014.
“We cited previous judgments delivered in identical issues by the Supreme Court and submitted to the court that there was no deliberate intention to hurt any religious sentiments,” Yogesh Ravani, Teesta’s counsel told Mirror. He said, “The court has quashed both the FIRs by accepting our arguments.”
Teesta had allegedly uploaded a photoshopped image of ISIS terrorists with US journalist James Foley in the backdrop of an image of Hindi deities on her Twitter account. However, she later deleted it.
VHP leader Raju Patel registered a complaint at Ghatlodia police station while the other was filed by one Kirit Mistry at C division police station in Bhavnagar. The police had registered FIR under various sections including of hurting religious sentiments.
Setalvad had fought to get justice for the victims of 2002-communal riots incidents that occurred following Sabarmati Express carnage on February 27, 2002.
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