Ahmedabad, 30 September, 2011

In a bold step duly awaited for long time, Suspended controversial IPS Sanjiv Bhatt has been arrested today for forcing police official KD Pant to write incorrect information in his affidavit. Bhatt has been taken to Ghatlodia police station and is being questioned by B division ACP of Ahmedabad police. As per the primary detail available Bhatt is facing charges under section 341, 342 and 195. ‘Kh’ division ACP NC Patel took Bhatt to police station for recording his statement. Some sections that Bhatt is facing are bailable but in section 195, only investigation officer can help Sanjiv Bhatt for bail.

A police constable KD Pant had lodged a complaint against controversial IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt for threatening him and making him sign false affidavit regarding a meeting called by the Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2002. Following this complaint by constable KD Pant, who worked under Bhatt during 2002 riots, the Ghatlodia police had registered an FIR against Bhatt for threatening a public servant, fabricating false evidence, wrongful confinement and have initiated investigations.

According to Pant’s FIR, on June 16, he got a call from Bhatt asking him to come to his residence for some work.

When he reached his place, Bhatt told him that amicus curiae from the Supreme Court was coming on June 18 and they had to meet him to record a statement at BSF headquarter near Gandhinagar.

Pant has alleged that Bhatt asked him to tell the amicus curiae that SIT had forcefully recorded his statement. When Pant resisted, Bhatt threatened him and said that there was no need to worry if Pant did what he was told.

He has further alleged that Bhatt took him to meet the state Congress president Arjun Modhwadia at his residence. Modhwadia also assured him that there was no need to worry and he should do what Bhatt was asking.

Pant says Modhwadia told him that Narendra Modi would go to jail in two months and he should not worry.

After meeting Modhwadia, Bhatt took Pant to an office of an advocate and notary near the Gujarat high court and made him sign two sets of affidavits.

If allegation against Bhatt proves to be correct, he could go to jail for 10 years.

In July this year the Supreme Court had issued notice to Gujarat and Central Government over a petition filed by serving Indian Police Service officer Sanjiv Bhatt seeking transfer of case in the matter relating to KD Pant’s police complaint.

Bhatt’s advocate Saiyad today while speaking to media persons alleged that the state government has yet not replied to Supreme Court’s notice. Saiyad added that Bhatt’s today’s arrest is calculative as there’s one week vacation in Supreme Court and therefore Bhatt would not be in position to get any relief in this issue for a week. Saiyad didn’t confirm Bhatt’s arrest but said if Bhatt is arrested, a bail plea will be filed.

Meanwhile police launched search operation at Bhatt’s residence in the evening. Bhatt was taken to Gaikwad Haveli late in the night.

Speaking with one local TV news channel, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Shri Sudhir Sinha said there was a concrete case against Bhatt supported by several leads including statement of Mumbai based notary.When asked about Arjun Modhwadia’s name in FIR and possible procedure against him in this case, Sinha replied that there could be various names in FIR including the names of witnesses, at present there was nothing against Modhwadia.