[Reader-list] Dial CPM Brinda and Teesta for cash-for-false-affidavits

[Aditya Raj Kaul]

 Dial CPM Brinda and Teesta for cash-for-false-affidavits

 Gujarat-based NGO processed payment from CPM relief fund

 Navin Upadhyay | New Delhi (Pioneer, 20 Dec. 2008)

A controversial Gujarat-based NGO was instrumental in organising
payment of Rs 1 lakh each to as many as ten witnesses in various post-
Godhra riot cases. The money came from the CPI(M) relief fund and was
distributed months before the witnesses deposed in the courts, five
years after the clashes took place. Four other eyewitnesses received
Rs 50,000 each.

The revelation comes in the backdrop of reports that a host of
Gujarat riot case victims were misled into signing affidavits giving
false information at the behest of Citizens for Justice and Peace
(CJP), an NGO headed by social activist Teesta Setalvad.

Incidentally, those who were both victims and eyewitnesses received
Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000 while the victims got mere Rs 5,000 each.
This has raised eyebrows over the selection of beneficiaries and the
purpose of paying a disproportionately large sum to the eyewitnesses
before the trial.

Chief Coordinator of CJP Rais Khan told The Pioneer that he had
submitted the name of beneficiaries to the CPI(M) on instruction from
Teesta Setalvad. "Setalvad identified the people and I merely
followed her instruction and forwarded the list to CPI (M)," Khan
said.

When contacted, Setalvad said she was present at the function on an
invitation from the CPI(M) and had nothing to do with fund
raising. "It was CPI(M) money and I was a mere guest at the
function," she claimed.

Yasin Naimudin Ansari, one of the eyewitnesses who got one lakh
rupees, told The Pioneer on phone from Ahmedabad that he was
approached by someone from Teesta Setalvad's organisation. "I vaguely
remember this. But I don't remember the name of the person," he said.

The function took place in Ahmedabad on August 26, 2007 and the
witnesses were handed out demand drafts by CPI(M) politburo member
Brinda Karat, Teesta Setalvad and Rais Khan.

Brinda Karat admitted that the CPI(M) had raised the money, adding
that as far the party was concerned it was giving relief to the
victims. "Our party is not involved in any court cases involving
Gujarat riots, and for us, distributing relief was merely a
humanitarian gesture," she said.

Not disputing that she had taken the help of local NGOs to identify
the victims, Brinda said, "We had received a lot of applications and
money was distributed in different phases."

The 14 DDs (Nos 567540 to 567554 all dated 01/08/2007) were handed
over to these witnesses by Teesta, Brinda and Rais Khan. Seven DDs
were payable at Ahmedabad and seven at Baroda. Interestingly, one of
the recipients is Yasmin Banu Sheikh, the estranged wife of Zahira
Sheikh's brother Nafitullah.

The Pioneer is in possession of letters written by beneficiaries
thanking Brinda, Teesta and Rais Khan for the payment.

Yasmin Banu Ismailbhai Shaikh (aunt of Zahira) of Baroda, who
received Rs 50,000 (DD No 567552 dated August 1, 2007). Yasmin is a
complainant in case No. 114/04 at Baroda. It is interesting to note
that, when no substance was found in her complaint, she was directed
to face lie detection test by the court and ever since she has not
appeared in the court.

Among the recipients are four Best Bakery case witnesses and nine are
appearing as witnesses in Ahmedabad-related Naroda Patia, Shahpur,
Khanpur and other 2002 riot cases.

The information has been gleaned through a string of petitions under
the Right to Information Act by one H Jhaveri from various agencies,
including banks.

The four Best Bakery case witnesses are:

Sailun Hasan Khan Pathan of Ahmedabad who was paid Rs 1 lakh; Tufel
Ahmed Habibullah Siddiqui of Baroda who received 50,000; Sehjad Khan
Hasan Khan Pathan of Baroda who was paid Rs 50,000 and Rais Khan Amin
Khan Pathan of Baroda who too got Rs 50,000.

There are nine witnesses relating to Ahmedabad riots who are
testifying in local riot cases. All of them were given Rs 1 lakh and
they are: 1.Kureshabibi Harunbhai Ghori of Baroda, witness in case
No. 11/02 registered in Khanpur Police Station.

2. Husenabibi Gulambhai Shaikh, also of Baroda and witness in case
No. 11/02 filed in Khanpur police station.

3. Rasidabanu Yusufkhan Pathan of Ahmedabad, witness in 2002 riots
cases.

4. Fatimabanu Babubhai Saiyyed of Ahmedabad and witness in Case No.
100/02 registered in Shahpur Police Station.

5. Badurnnisha Mohd Ismail Shaikh of Ahmedabad, witness in Case No.
49/0 3 of Shahpur Police Station.

6. Mohd Khalid Saiyyed Ali Saiyyed of Ahmedabad, witness in Naroda-
Patiya case. His first application was registered on March 7, 2008
and second on May 29, 2008.

7. Mohd Yasin Naimuddin Ansari of Ahmedabad, witness in 2002 riots
cases.

8.Shaikh Azharuddin Imamuddin of Ahmedabad. During 2002 riots he was
injured. At that time he was 10 years.

9. Sarjahah Kausar Ali Shaikh of Baroda. No details available.

List of Victims who were paid Rs 5,000 on 11/10/2007.

Mohammed Rafiq Abukar Pathan , Aslamkhan Anwarkhan Pathan, Pathan
Saiyedkhan Ahmedkhan, Imtiyazhhan Saiyedkhan Pathan, Rashidkhan A.
Pathan, Sairaben Salimbhai Sanghi, Ashraf Sikandarbhai Sanghi.

http://www.dailypioneer.com/144856/Godhra-riot-witnesses-got-Rs-1-
lakh-each.html