The Gujarat High Court today asked social activist Teesta Setalvad, who had filed a petition seeking exemption from regular appearance at police station in a case related to an allegedly objectionable tweet, to approach the sessions court.
Justice Mohinder Pal disposed of her petition. Setalvad had sought exemption from appearing in person at the Ghatlodia police station here on the fifth of every month, as directed by the sessions court.
An FIR was filed against Setalvad last year on the complaint of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist for uploading 'objectionable' pictures of Hindu deities on Twitter. The case was lodged under IPC sections 153(a) (promoting enmity between two religious groups) and 205(a) (outraging religious feelings) and also under IT Act.
Setalvad had tweeted a photo-shopped picture of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) terrorist which also featured Hindu deities. She later removed the picture.
The activist, who has crossed swords with BJP government in Gujarat in the past over the probe of 2002 Gujarat riots, sought pre-arrest bail from the sessions court.
On June 29, that court gave her pre-arrest bail with the condition that she will appear before Ghatlodia police station regularly. She wants exemption from this condition.
Her plea for dismissal of the FIR is still pending before the HC.
