Ahmedabad:
A local court in Ahmedabad today adjourned suspended Gujarat IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's bail plea hearing till October 10. The top cop was arrested on September 30 on charges of coercing a constable to back his testimony against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Sessions Judge V K Vyas adjourned the hearing since the arguments from the government's side opposing the grant of bail were inconclusive. The state's contention is that Mr Bhatt allegedly has criminal antecedents and therefore can misuse the bail.
Mr Bhatt's lawyer I H Sayed sought bail on two main grounds: the complainant K D Pant, a police constable, has been changing his statement with regard to his allegation that Bhatt threatened him and made him sign false affidavits. Secondly, the police had no power to invoke sections 193, 194 and 195 of Indian Penal Code (related to fabrication of evidence) against Mr Bhatt since it was up to the courts to invoke these sections after due inquiry.
The court also postponed hearing on the police's request for Mr Bhatt's remand till October 10. This comes after the court had earlier rejected a request for police remand for the jailed officer.
Earlier this week, the court ruled that Mr Bhatt is entitled to apply for bail. The Gujarat Police had challenged this on the grounds that it had filed a parallel case that asks for Mr Bhatt's custody. Mr Bhatt is currently in judicial custody.
Mr Bhatt has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, alleging Mr Modi of complicity in the riots that took place in Gujarat in 2002. As part of his affidavit, Mr Bhatt included a statement from KD Pant, a junior officer. Mr Pant's statement supported Mr Bhatt's claim that he was present at a meeting on February 27, 2002 when Mr Modi asked senior policemen to go slow on rioters. Other policemen who attended that meeting on record have said Mr Bhatt was not present. Mr Pant's statement said the opposite. Later, Mr Pant said he had been threatened by Mr Bhatt into supporting him.
A judge hearing Mr Bhatt's case for bail asked him earlier this week if he was willing to allow the police access to his bank lockers. The judge suggested that could help Mr Bhatt get bail. However, the police officer refused. "There can be no compromise with the Modi govt. This is a battle of principles. I am ready to remain in jail for however long it takes," he told the court.
Mr Bhatt was suspended from the police force in August for skipping work.
The Congress and activists in Gujarat have accused the Modi government of using the state machinery to persecute the police officer.
(
With PTI Inputs)