Ahmedabad: The Metropolitan court has granted the Crime Branch custody of former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt up to July 20 (7 days). Bhatt was arrested for producing forged documents and false witnesses during a post-Godhra riots case of 2002. The Crime Branch had sought custody of Bhatt for 14 days.

The Public Prosecutor argued during the hearing that accused Sanjiv Bhatt and RB Srikumar had served together in DCI Security (Intelligence). Therefore, being familiar with the inquiry tactics and legal nuances, they are refusing to cooperate in the investigation.

The accused have stated in their affidavit and statement that they were present at the meeting held at the residence of then chief minister on 27 February 2002, while the truth is that they had not attended this meeting.

With what malafide intent have the accused then signed such an affidavit and given such statements? The Crime Branch would like to interrogate the accused about the spot of preparing the forged documents, forged records and affidavits as part of the criminal conspiracy.

Who all were involved in preparing the affidavits produced between 2002 and 2018 before the SIT and during the legal proceedings and the location of signing them needs to be ascertained.

The Crime Branch would also like to inquire from the accused all emails they sent from their email id to the Inquiry Commission, Home Department and SIT (Godhra riots case). The accused had with a malicious intent sent and received information by email.

It has been established in the investigation of the post-Godhra riots case conducted by various agencies that the accused have received other benefits and incentives. They have also met political leaders at different locations.

On the other hand, the counsel for Sanjiv Bhatt had opposed the plea of the Crime Branch by saying that his client would accept fault if the investigating officer spoke even 7 lines out of the 68 lines long complaint in English. DeshGujarat