Supreme court Denies Bail to Sanjiv Bhatt, Expedites Hearing
Table of Contents
NEW DELHI — May 8, 2024 —
In a significant legal growth, the Supreme Court has denied bail to former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatt. The court’s decision concerns a 1990 custodial death case, where Bhatt is serving a life sentence. The court also directed an expedited hearing on Bhatt’s appeal against his life sentence. This ruling highlights the ongoing legal battle involving the former officer, and the focus now shifts to the appeal process.
supreme court denies bail to ex-ips officer sanjiv bhatt, expedites hearing on life sentence
new delhi — the supreme court has rejected the bail plea of sanjiv bhatt, a former indian police service (ips) officer, who is serving a life sentence in connection with a 1990 custodial death case [2].while denying bail, the court directed that the hearing against his life sentence be expedited.
key takeaways
- supreme court denies bail to sanjiv bhatt in a 1990 custodial death case [1], [2],[3].
- court directs expedited hearing on bhatt’s appeal against his life sentence.
- bhatt was convicted in connection with a custodial death that occurred while he was additional superintendent of police in jamnagar, gujarat.
the court’s decision
a bench comprising justice vikram nath and justice sandeep mehta delivered the order, stating, we are not inclined to grant sanjiv bhatt bail. the prayer of bail is dismissed. the hearing of the appeal shall not be affected. the hearing of the appeal is expedited.
bhatt had sought both bail and a suspension of his sentence [3].
the 1990 custodial death case
the case stems from an incident in 1990 in jamnagar, gujarat, where bhatt was serving as an additional superintendent of police. following a riot, he detained over 130 people. the riot occurred after the bharatiya janata party (bjp) and vishwa hindu parishad called for a bharat bandh to protest the arrest of veteran bjp leader lk advani,prior to his ayodhya yatra.
one of the individuals detained subsequently died in custody, leading to allegations of custodial torture. a police case was registered against bhatt and others involved.
legal proceedings and convictions
a sessions court found sanjiv bhatt guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment. the gujarat high court upheld this verdict in january 2024, dismissing his appeal. subsequently, bhatt appealed to the supreme court, which initially issued a notice to the gujarat government in 2004 and reserved its verdict.
other cases against bhatt
bhatt faces accusations in two additional cases:
- 1996 drug planting case: bhatt was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison. his appeal is currently pending before the gujarat high court.
- 1997 custodial torture case: he was acquitted by a magistrate’s court in december 2024.
faq
- why was sanjiv bhatt denied bail?
- the supreme court did not find merit in his plea for bail in the 1990 custodial death case [2].
- what is the status of his life sentence appeal?
- the supreme court has directed that the hearing of his appeal against the life sentence be expedited.
- what other cases is bhatt involved in?
- he is also an accused in a 1996 drug planting case (convicted, appeal pending) and a 1997 custodial torture case (acquitted).
