Panel: Teesta culpable for ‘hatred’

New Delhi, October 16

A committee set up by the HRD Ministry has found activist Teesta Setalvad culpable for “hatred-filled, disharmony-spreading, ill-will generating, enmity-creating explosive writings”.

The then HRD Minister Smriti Irani had in 2015 formed a three-member panel comprising Supreme Court lawyer Abhijit Bhattacharjee, Gujarat Central University Vice-Chancellor SA Bari and a ministry official Gaya Prasad to look into allegations against NGO Sabrang Trust, based on a complaint.

The panel has submitted its report to the current HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Sources said the panel has recommended in its report that that there is compelling evidence to book Teesta under Sections 153-A and 153-B of the IPC, both pertaining to hate speeches.

Any person booked under the said sections can be punished with jail terms and fine. Setalvad claimed the allegations of misappropriation of funds could not be proved and to counter that charges of spreading hatred have been levelled.

“In typical proto fascist style, allegations have covered the infamous misappropriation of funds to now spreading hatred. Creating hatred... against whom? The RSS?” she said. — PTI