Former IPS Sanjiv Bhatt Sentenced to 20 Years in Drug Case: Court Imposes Strict Punishment for 1996 Narcotics Offense

Former IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt has been convicted in a false NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) case by the Palanpur Additional Sessions Court. He has been sentenced to 20 years in prison along with a fine of two lakh rupees. Sanjeev Bhatt, who was lodged in the Palanpur sub-jail, was brought to the Palanpur Sessions Court yesterday. There, the court pronounced Sanjeev Bhatt guilty, imposing a strict sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of two lakh rupees. It is noteworthy that no penalty had been pronounced earlier. During today’s hearing in court, the court has imposed a harsh sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of two lakh rupees. It should be noted that Sanjeev Bhatt was accused of planting a drugs plant in a room of a Rajasthan lawyer at a hotel in Palanpur in 1996 and threatening to frame the lawyer by emptying the shop. Sanjeev Bhatt was arrested on September 5, 2018.

The case involved Sanjeev Bhatt being caught by the CID Crime in 2018. He was arrested for allegedly framing a Rajasthan lawyer in a false case in a room of a hotel in Palanpur. Subsequently, the CID Crime also arrested Palanpur’s then Police Inspector Vyas. A case was filed on April 30, 1996, where it was alleged that Sumersingh Rajpurohit, carrying a bundle of opium, was apprehended by the police during a raid at a reputable hotel in Palanpur.

During the Godhra riots controversy, Sanjiv Bhatt was involved in a confrontation with a security personnel, during which he allegedly slapped the security personnel and lodged a complaint against him. Additionally, Sanjiv Bhatt was also accused of carrying out unauthorized construction work in a bungalow near his hometown, which sparked a significant controversy.

Sanjiv Bhatt created a significant legal controversy when he filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court against then Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2011. In the affidavit, he raised questions about Narendra Modi’s role in the handling of the 2002 riots and expressed distrust in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate the riots. On the other hand, Gujarat state officials accused Bhatt of making false allegations against Modi. They claimed that he was levelling baseless accusations against Modi.

Sanjiv Bhatt was suspended by the state government in 2011 for misuse of official vehicles without permission and attending without leave. Later, in 2015, the Central Home Ministry recommended his dismissal from service, which was accepted.