Teesta Setalvad used funds used to spread communal discord, alleges Rajni Patel

Gujarat Minister of State for Home Rajni Patel on Wednesday accused Teesta Setalvad of misusing funds given to her NGO by the US based Ford Foundation and said a report of the same has been sent to the Central Government.

"The money which was given to her has been spent to spread lies against the Gujarat Government, tarnishing the image of India in international circles, and also to spread communal disharmony. All this information has been forwarded to the Central Home Ministry. Now it is up to the Central Government to take action," Patel said.

"During the investigation of Gulberg Society museum funds embezzlement case, these things came to light. In April, we filed a case against her and as of now the case is going on in the Supreme Court and the courts will decide what has to be done," he added.

Meanwhile, Teesta Setalvad said that she and her NGO cooperated fully with the Gujarat government.

"We received a letter from the FCRA department. A four member team headed by a Deputy Secretary came to our offices in Mumbai and was here for one whole week. They have inspected our records and we have provided full cooperation and now they will decide what to do. In our view there have been no violations," Setalvad said.

"What is very sinister I that a vicious campaign which says that we have not been cooperating with the law and order machinery. We have cooperated with the Gujarat Government and also with the Ministry of Home Affairs," she added.

The Gujarat government and Setalvad are already embroiled in legal battles. While she has filed several cases against the state government functionaries including the former Chief Minister Narendra Modi regarding the 2002 riots, the state police has filed a case of embezzlement of funds against her.