AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court upheld on Tuesday the life imprisonment for former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who was convicted by a Jamnagar sessions court in connection with a death in custody that occurred in Jamjodhpur town in 1990. The decision also maintains the life term for retired constable Pravinsinh Zala, who was found guilty of murder in the same case.
Bhatt is also grappling with criminal charges related to allegedly fabricating evidence to frame PM Modi, then CM of Gujarat, and others in connection with the conspiracy behind the violence triggered by the Godhra train burning on February 27, 2002.
Bhatt and Zala have been in custody since their conviction by the trial court in Jamnagar in June 2019.
The HC’s ruling, delivered by the bench of Justice AJ Shastri and Justice SN Bhatt, not only dismissed Bhatt’s appeal against his conviction but also confirmed the life imprisonment for Zala and upheld the convictions of five other policemen – sub-inspectors Deepak Shah and Shailesh Pandya, and constables Pravinsinh Jethva, Anopsinh Jethva, and Keshubha Jadeja.
The HC revoked the bail of the five other convicted policemen and also rejected the state government’s appeal for an enhancement in their punishment. They were found guilty of torture in custody, and sentenced to a two-year jail term and fined Rs 10,000.
The case traces back to October 30, 1990. Bhatt, who was serving as an assistant SP in the area at that time, faced allegations related to the death of detainee Prabhudas Vaishnani in custody.
Bhatt is also grappling with criminal charges related to allegedly fabricating evidence to frame PM Modi, then CM of Gujarat, and others in connection with the conspiracy behind the violence triggered by the Godhra train burning on February 27, 2002.
Bhatt and Zala have been in custody since their conviction by the trial court in Jamnagar in June 2019.
The HC’s ruling, delivered by the bench of Justice AJ Shastri and Justice SN Bhatt, not only dismissed Bhatt’s appeal against his conviction but also confirmed the life imprisonment for Zala and upheld the convictions of five other policemen – sub-inspectors Deepak Shah and Shailesh Pandya, and constables Pravinsinh Jethva, Anopsinh Jethva, and Keshubha Jadeja.
The HC revoked the bail of the five other convicted policemen and also rejected the state government’s appeal for an enhancement in their punishment. They were found guilty of torture in custody, and sentenced to a two-year jail term and fined Rs 10,000.
The case traces back to October 30, 1990. Bhatt, who was serving as an assistant SP in the area at that time, faced allegations related to the death of detainee Prabhudas Vaishnani in custody.