SC stays trial against Sanjiv Bhatt

In a setback to Narendra Modi government, the Supreme court on Friday stayed the proceedings against IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt in a case relating to pressurising a constable to make a false statement before court in connection with the alleged inaction of the state government during the 2002 riots.

The bench stayed the proceedings against Bhatt after he pleaded that the case against him was fabricated and was a consequence of political vendetta.

Mr. Bhatt has sought investigation by an independent agency into the allegations.

It was alleged that Mr. Bhatt had pressured the constable K.D. Pant to tell a court that he drove the Gujarat cadre Indian Police Service officer to the Chief Minister’s residence Feb 27, 2002.

Mr. Bhatt had claimed that in the meeting held at the Chief Minister’s residence that day, Mr. Modi told senior administration officials not to act against rioters.

Pant subsequently rejected the statement that he drove Mr. Bhatt to the Chief Minister’s residence and said he had made his earlier statement under pressure from the police officer.

Mr Bhatt was arrested on 30 September last year following the complaint filed by Pant but was subsequently released on bail.

At present Mr. Bhatt is under suspension and lives in Gandhinagar.