Monday, April 4 2005 19:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Gujarat Government today (Apr 4, 2005) raised questions on the purported affidavit filed by Zaheera Sheikh, key witness in the Best Bakery case, alleging that the document was prepared when she was under the custody of social activist Teesta Setalvad, with whom she developed differences later.

"It is stated that during the entire period from July 6, 2003, as averred by Setalvad herself in her affidavit and later upto November 3, 2004, when Zaheera tendered her affidavit to Collector, Vadodara, she (Zaheera) was under the control and custody of Setalvad," State Government said in an affidavit.

The affidavit was filed before a Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice H K Sema, which also extended till May 31, the term of special court in Mumbai trying the case. The term of the special court was expiring on April 30.

Meanwhile, attacking Setalvad, the State Government claimed that an affidavit in the name of Zaheera was found to have been sworn and signed by the social activist.

The case has taken an interesting turn as the Apex Court had set up the Committee to go into the issue after Zaheera took a u-turn in her testimony before the trial Court and blamed Setalvad of wrong-doing in Best Bakery case, which was transferred by the Court from Gujarat to Mumbai.