Ex Setalvad aide seeks recusal of SC judge from riots case

An estranged former aide of social activist Teesta Setalvad today moved the Supreme Court seeking recusal of Justice Aftab Alam from the bench hearing a matter relating to alleged "fabricating" of evidence in a post-Godhra riots case in which both of them are accused.

An estranged former aide of social activist Teesta Setalvad on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking recusal of Justice Aftab Alam from the bench hearing a matter relating to alleged "fabricating" of evidence in a post-Godhra riots case in which both of them are accused.

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Rais Khan Pathan, who was accused of fabricating evidence along with the activist in the Naroda Gam case in which 11 people were killed in 2002, has contended that there is "a reasonable likelihood of bias" in hearing the matter by Justice Alam.

He said the reason why the judge should recuse is that he had delivered a lecture in London on 'Promoting Pluralism Knowledge Program' (PPKP) with which his daughter is associated.

Pathan referred to an article titled, "The Idea of Secularism and the Supreme Court of India" authored by Justice Alam and presented by the judge at the annual lecture on October 14, 2009 in London.

"The tone and tenor of the article depicts the strong belief of His Lordships, as regards the victimization of the minority community," he said, while also making reference of his daughter who is associated with PPKP's India initiative and was part of some NGO's working for the riot victims in Gujarat.