Did the SC Deny Sanjiv Bhatt’s Bail Plea in Custodial Death Case?
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Synopsis
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has turned down Sanjiv Bhatt’s bail petition linked to a 1990 custodial death case, affirming the trial court's decision. This case continues to unfold, raising questions about justice and accountability in law enforcement.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court denies Bhatt's bail plea.
- Conviction upheld by the Gujarat High Court.
- Trial court's decision reaffirmed.
- Bhatt sentenced to life in prison.
- Additional sentencing for narcotics case.
New Delhi, April 29 (NationPress) The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the plea of former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt requesting bail and suspension of his sentence in a 1990 custodial death case.
A bench comprised of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta reviewed Bhatt's appeal against the Gujarat High Court ruling, which upheld the trial court's conviction and life imprisonment sentence.
The court emphasized that the rejection of the bail plea would not impede the appeal's merit hearing and ordered a prompt review of the case.
Previously, the Gujarat High Court had turned down Bhatt's appeal regarding his conviction and sentencing.
“We believe the trial court made no errors in its ruling, thus no interference is necessary in the ongoing appeals. The prosecution has established its case against the accused, warranting no changes to the judgment issued by the trial court,” stated Justices Ashutosh Shastri and Sandeep N. Bhatt.
“Upon our own examination and evaluation of the evidence, we found that the trial judge's conclusions are in line with the evidence presented and consistent with legal standards, showing no signs of egregious error,” they added.
In 2019, the Jamnagar Sessions Judge convicted Bhatt for offenses under sections 302, 323, 506 (1) in conjunction with sections 34 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Bhatt, dismissed from service in 2015, has been imprisoned since 2018.
In March 2024, the Palanpur sessions court in Banaskantha sentenced him to 20 years for his role in a 1996 narcotics case, finding him guilty of planting drugs to wrongfully accuse a lawyer in Palanpur, where he served as the Superintendent of Police. Bhatt arrested lawyer Sumersingh Rajpurohit under the NDPS Act, claiming opium was discovered in his hotel room.
Point of View
It is crucial to remain impartial and focused on the facts. The Supreme Court's ruling reflects the ongoing struggle for justice in cases involving law enforcement officials. The legal implications and societal reactions to such cases are vital to public discourse, and we stand committed to delivering unbiased coverage.
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding Sanjiv Bhatt's bail plea?
The Supreme Court rejected Sanjiv Bhatt's plea for bail and suspension of his sentence in a custodial death case.
What was Sanjiv Bhatt convicted for?
Sanjiv Bhatt was convicted for offenses under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to custodial death and has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Will the dismissal of the bail plea affect the appeal's hearing?
No, the Supreme Court clarified that the dismissal of the bail plea would not impact the merits of the ongoing appeal.
What other cases is Sanjiv Bhatt involved in?
In addition to the custodial death case, Bhatt has been sentenced to 20 years for his involvement in a narcotics case in 1996.
What are the implications of this ruling?
This ruling underscores the importance of accountability in law enforcement and the judicial process.
