Former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt found guilty in drug-planting case

Sanjiv Bhatt and other charged are alleged to have plotted to frame a Rajasthan attorney in a false case of opium possession at the direction of an ex-Gujarat High Court judge.

Background

In a significant development, a court in Palanpur, Gujarat, pronounced former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt guilty of offences dating back to 1996 in a drug-planting case. The case pertains to alleged framing of a Rajasthan-based lawyer, Sumer Singh Rajpurohit, for possession of opium.

Verdict and Sentence

The court of additional sessions judge JN Thakkar heard arguments from both the prosecution and defence regarding the quantum of sentence. The prosecution has sought the maximum punishment of 20 years for Bhatt. The final verdict on the sentence is expected to be delivered on Thursday.

Charges Against Sanjiv Bhatt

Bhatt has been found guilty under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), as well as several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

These include charges related to abetment, criminal conspiracy, forgery, wrongful confinement, and criminal conspiracy, among others.

Case Details

The case dates back to 1996 when lawyer Sumer Singh Rajpurohit was arrested for allegedly possessing 1.15 kg of opium at a hotel in Palanpur. 

Bhatt, who was the district superintendent of police at the time, and IB Vyas, an inspector with the local crime branch, were co-accused in the case. Vyas was granted approver status in 2021.

Allegations and Police Admission

The prosecution alleges that Bhatt, along with other co-accused, conspired to falsely implicate Rajpurohit in the drug case. 

Despite an FIR being registered against Rajpurohit initially, the police later admitted their mistake and filed a report under CrPC section 169, releasing Rajpurohit due to deficient evidence. The police also 

submitted an ‘A’ summary report in the case.

Conclusion

The court’s verdict in the drug-planting case marks a significant development in the legal proceedings against Sanjiv Bhatt. The case underscores the importance of upholding justice and ensuring accountability, even in cases dating back several years.