Gujarat: Ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt sentenced to life imprisonment
A Jamnagar court on Thursday sentenced ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt to life imprisonment in connection to a custodial death case, which took place some 30 years ago. Along with Bhatt, the court also handed over the same punishment to officer Praveen Singh Jhala. Four other police officers, who were also accused, are still awaiting the verdict. Here's all about the case.
Backstory: Bhatt detained 133 people, one of them died
The case dates back to 1990 when Bhatt was deployed as additional superintendent of police in Jamnagar. Along with other officers, he took 133 people in custody for alleged rioting during a protest. One of the detainees, Prabhudas Madhavji Vaishnani, was kept in custody for nine days. Ten days after being released on bail, Vaishnavi died due to renal failure.
Trial in the case didn't begin till 2011
After Vaishnavi's death, an FIR was registered against Bhatt and other officers. A magistrate took cognizance of the case in 1995 but the trial didn't begin till 2011, courtesy a stay by Gujarat High Court. After the stay was lifted, the proceedings began. It should be noted that Bhatt was suspended in 2011 for remaining absent during duties, and was sacked in 2015.
Notably, Bhatt wanted court to 're-examine' witnesses
Bhatt, who was arrested for a drug-planting case months ago, approached the Supreme Court last week in hope of getting respite in the custodial death case. He claimed that out of 300 witnesses listed by the prosecution, only 32 were examined. Bhatt claimed three police officers who probed the offense and other witnesses who denied any torture, weren't asked any questions.
Gujarat police strongly opposed Bhatt's plea in Supreme Court
Bhatt's plea was strongly contended by Gujarat police. Their lawyers Maninder Singh and Rajat Nair told the vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and Ajay Rastogi, that tactics were being deployed to delay the verdict. Meanwhile, Bhatt's lawyer Salman Khurshid said examining 11 additional witnesses was crucial for the case.
Bhatt's arguments didn't strike chord with SC, plea was dismissed
During the hearing, Singh reminded the apex court of an order of a three-judge bench. The bench of Justice Arun Mishra, BR Gavai, and Surya Kant had rejected a similar plea and directed the lower court to wrap up the case soon. Justices Banerjee and Rastogi took note of the earlier verdict and rejected Bhatt's plea. Notably, Bhatt was charged under IPC Section 302.
