The BJP on Saturday justified the Gujarat police’s arrest of activist Teesta Setalvad and accused Sonia Gandhi and the Congress of being the “driving force” behind her and other critics of the then Narendra Modi government’s role during the 2002 riots.

The party said the action against Teesta was her “karma phal” (result of one’s deeds) and was based on the Supreme Court verdict of Friday.

“Teesta Setalvad was not alone. The driving force behind people against whom the Supreme Court has passed strong observations was Sonia Gandhi and the Congress party,” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said.

Patra had been fielded for a hurried media address in the evening after the Gujarat anti-terrorist squad arrested Teesta and former Gujarat police officer R.B. Sreekumar.

The apex court had on Friday rejected the claim of a larger conspiracy involving then chief minister Modi behind the 2002 violence against Muslims, and said those who had made false depositions should be “in the dock”.

“The Supreme Court has said in clear words that all those involved in the abuse of process need to be in the dock and proceeded (against) in accordance with the law,” Patra said.

“That means those who engaged in the conspiracy can’t go scot-free. They have to face the law and pay for their deeds.”

Patra then trained his guns at Sonia, accusing her of being the “driving force” behind Teesta and underlining that Teesta was associated with the National Advisory Council headed by Sonia during UPA rule.

Patra accused Sonia of pushing the UPA government to give funds to NGOs run by Teesta and claimed the money was used to malign the image of Modi and India.