Ahmedabad: Sharp contradictions exists in the affidavit filed by Zaheera Sheikh, key witness in the Best Bakery case before the Nanavati Commission on May 20, 2002 and her statement made against social activist Teesta Setalvad on Wednesday (Nov 3, 2004) last.

This apparent contradiction is visible in the affidavit, a copy of which was made available from the commission sources.

In her affidavit filed in May 2002, before Setalvad came into picture, Zaheera had accused these very persons of being responsible for the Best Bakery carnage, whom she recently at a press conference, said were "innocent" and that she was "forced" to name them on being "pressurised" by Setalvad and some others.

Setalvad took up Zaheera's case only after the fast track court in Vadodara acquitted all the 21 accused in June 2003. The Supreme Court later directed retrial of the Best Bakery case in Maharashtra.

Zaheera's affidavit to the commission gives details of how the mob attacked the Best Bakery, how she and others spent night in the roof when a mob of nearly 700 people came and stormed the Bakery on March 1, 2002.

In her affidavit Zaheera also said that she could identify (not name) several persons accused of having attacked her and also said that she recognises most of them who were present in the mob.

However, in a dramatic turnaround on Wednesday at the press conference at Vadodara, and also the affidavit she filed before collector Bhagyesh Jha, Zaheera said that all that she had said in the fast-track court in Vadodara was correct and that Setalvad had 'pressurised' her to name these persons among others as those accused in the massacre.

Zaheera has been under police protection since last Wednesday and her movements and whereabouts are shrouded in secrecy.

She has been summoned by the special court in Mumbai on November 17.

In a related development, Teesta Setalwad, noted social worker and head of an NGO, which supported Zaheera Shaikh moved Bombay High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the wake of affidavit filed by Zaheera levelling criminal charges against her.

Teesta filed a petition praying that in the event of the arrest she may be granted anticipatory bail.

The petition will come up for hearing before Justice R S Mohite tomorrow (Nov 10, 2004).

Zaheera had filed her affidavit before Vadodara District Collector recently alleging that Teesta had pressurised her to tell lies before the trial court in Mumbai and that because of her pressurisation earlier she had cast aspersions on Gujarat court verdict.

The prime witness also alleged that Teesta had kidnapped her and kept her in wrongful confinement.

These charges constitute non-bailable offences and Teesta apprehending that FIR may have been lodged against her has moved the High Court seeking relief.

Teesta along with her lawyers Satish Maneshinde and Sayaji Nangre came to the court.