The Hindu : National : Zahira, mother get time to reply to show-cause

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 28, 2006

National

National

Zahira, mother get time to reply to show-cause

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Additional sessions judge Abhay Thipsay on Thursday gave Zahira Sheikh and her mother Sehrunissa, witnesses in the Best Bakery case re-trial, time till May 9 to record their plea in response to the show-cause notice for tendering false evidence.

Zahira is already serving a one-year sentence, in a Mumbai prison, imposed by the Supreme Court for contempt.

The judge explained to Zahira and Sehrunissa the reasons why the notice was sent. Asked why she should not be punished for giving false evidence, Sehrunissa said she was under tension and in no mood to answer. She had been asked to vacate her flat in Mumbai by April 30.

"Relative made a deal"

Sehrunissa said her relative Sanaullah had made a sauda (deal) with social activist Teesta Setalvad. When Mr. Thipsay asked her to explain, she said Sanaullah had taken money from Ms. Setalvad to get Zahira to surrender in this court. While recording this remark, the judge said it was irrelevant to the perjury proceedings.

On Friday, the charges will be explained to Zahira's brother Nasibullah and sister Sahira, to whom also Mr. Thipsay sent notices after the retrial was completed.

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