Advertisement
New Delhi: In a major development, a special NDPS court in Gujarat’s Banaskantha district has handed down a 20-year jail term to former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt for his involvement in a 1996 drug planting incident. This marks a notable chapter in the legal troubles of Bhatt, who has previously faced conviction in a custodial death case.
The case dates back to 1996 when Bhatt, who was working as Superintendent of Police in Banaskantha, was accused of falsely implicating a Rajasthan lawyer in a drug possession case. Advocate Sumer Singh Rajpurohit, who was allegedly found with 1.15 kg of opium in a hotel in Palanpur, termed the allegation as fabricated.
The case languished for nearly two decades, until the Gujarat High Court in 2018 ordered a re-investigation by a special investigation team. Bhatt’s arrest in September 2018 marked the beginning of a new phase in this protracted legal battle.
The court found Bhatt guilty under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act as well as several sections of the Indian Penal Code, indicating the seriousness of the charges against him. The sentence adds to Bhatt’s legal troubles, following his life imprisonment in a 1990 custodial death case. This decision underlines the judiciary’s commitment to holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions and sets a precedent for similar cases.
While Bhatt’s wife has criticized the verdict, claiming her husband’s innocence, the verdict has received mixed reactions from various quarters. Legal experts and human rights activists see this as a watershed moment in India’s justice system, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
Who is Sanjiv Bhatt?
Those who unversed, Sanjiv Bhatt is a former Indian Police Service officer of the Gujarat-cadre. He is known for his role in filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court of India against the then Chief Minister of the Government of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, concerning Modi’s alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. He claimed to have attended a meeting, during which Modi allegedly asked top police officials to let Hindus vent their anger against the Muslims. However, the Special Investigation Team appointed by the Supreme Court of India concluded that Bhatt did not attend any such meeting, and dismissed his allegations.
The case also raises questions about the challenges of dealing with decades-long legal battles, the integrity of police operations and the impact of such convictions on the reputation of the police force.
As this chapter of Sanjeev Bhatt’s life comes to a close, the implications of his strong faith will echo for years to come. It is a reminder of the complexities inherent in the justice system and the paramount importance of maintaining the rule of law, even against those who were once its protectors.
