The Supreme Court on April 28, denied bail to controversial former Gujarat cadre IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who is currently serving a life sentence in a three-decade-old custodial death case that followed communal riots in Jamnagar during the aftermath of LK Advani’s Rath Yatra in 1990.
The apex court, while hearing Bhatt’s plea seeking bail during the pendency of his appeal, categorically stated that it was “not inclined to enlarge the appellant on bail.” It emphasised that the current observations pertain strictly to the bail proceedings and would have no bearing on the merits of the pending appeals filed by Bhatt and his co-accused.
The court, however, assured that it would expedite the hearing of the appeal challenging the conviction and sentence imposed by the lower courts.
Bhatt, who was serving as Additional Superintendent of Police in Jamnagar at the time of the incident, was convicted in 2019 by a Jamnagar trial court for the custodial torture and subsequent death of Prabhudas Vaishnani. Vaishnani was among over 130 people arrested during communal riots that broke out in the wake of LK Advani’s Rath Yatra.
According to the prosecution, Vaishnani died 18 days after being released from custody, allegedly due to injuries sustained while in police detention. His death sparked a prolonged legal battle, culminating in the conviction of three policemen, including Bhatt, for their role in the custodial assault that allegedly led to Vaishnani’s death.
The Gujarat High Court in 2024 upheld the conviction and the life sentence, noting the seriousness of the custodial crime and the failure of the accused to uphold the rule of law.
Appearing before the Supreme Court, Bhatt’s legal team argued that there was no direct medical evidence linking the alleged jail assault to Vaishnani’s death. He sought suspension of his sentence and temporary bail while his appeal remains pending.
However, the bench remained unconvinced. It stressed the gravity of the crime and refused to grant any relief at this stage, reinforcing the principle that custodial violence cannot be tolerated, particularly from those in uniform entrusted with upholding the law.
Sanjiv Bhatt has remained a controversial figure in Gujarat’s police and political landscape. Once seen as a vocal critic of the state’s political leadership, Bhatt has been entangled in multiple legal cases, including allegations of fabrication of evidence and abuse of authority during his tenure.
