Mumbai: Nafitullah Shaikh, elder brother of prime witness Zaheera Shaikh in Best Bakery case, today (Nov 19, 2004) turned hostile in the trial court and revealed that he was threatened by social activist Teesta Setalvad and her associates to falsely depose.

Spotlight: Godhra-Chilling stories of the victims

Nafitullah's brother, Nasibullah had yesterday (Nov 18, 2004) put up a hostile attitude saying he had not seen anyone on March 1, 2002 when the bakery was set afire and retracted from his police statement.

Following his brother's footsteps, Nafitullah said he could not see the rioteers, as there was smoke all around. He also was unable to say how his sister had died and said he was unaware about the whereabouts of his maternal uncle Kauser. (According to prosecution, Kauser also died in the bakery fire).

In view of his hostile attitude, prosecutor Manjula Rao then sought permission of the court to cross-examine him.

Nafitullah said, Teesta and her associates had threatened him to give false statements in the trial court. Teesta had deployed two to three men to keep a watch on him in a house in Mumbai and he was not allowed to go anywhere or meet anyone, the witness told the court.

Asked why he had not complained to police, Nafitullah said, "I was very much scared of these persons and did not disclose her threats two days ago when I came to the court as she (Teesta) was very much present".

However, he admitted that Teesta and her organisation had borne the expenses incurred by them during their stay in Mumbai early this year. She used to give us money and food every week.