Larger conspiracy 'orchestrated' by Teesta to defame Gujarat, SC told

The bench observed that in the criminal justice, the accused also has a right of fair trial and finality of proceedings

There is a larger conspiracy orchestrated by social activist Teesta Setalvad to defame Gujarat for almost two decades, the state government told the Supreme Court on Thursday while arguing on Zakia Jafri's petition relating to the 2002 riots there.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Gujarat, told a bench headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar that he has nothing to say against Zakia Jafri as she has lost her near and dear ones but there has to be a limit of exploiting the miseries of a widow.

Zakia Jafri, the wife of slain Congress leader Ehsan Jafri who was killed at Gulberg