Ahmedabad – Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatt turned 62 on December 21, spending yet another birthday in prison. Bhatt, who once served in key roles in Gujarat police, has been in jail for over seven years now. He is serving a life sentence in a 1990 custodial death case and a 20-year term in a separate 1996 drug framing case. His family says these cases are old matters revived to punish him for speaking out about the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Bhatt was dismissed from service in 2015. He became known across the country for filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court in 2011, where he claimed that then Chief Minister Narendra Modi had instructed police officials to let Hindus vent their anger after the Godhra train burning incident that triggered the riots.
Early Career and Rise in Police Force
Sanjiv Bhatt joined the IPS in 1988 as part of the Gujarat cadre. He started as additional superintendent of police in Jamnagar district in 1990. During that time, communal tensions were high after a bandh call related to LK Advani’s Rath Yatra. Bhatt detained over 150 people to control riots in Jamjodhpur area. One detainee, Prabhudas Vaishnani, died in hospital days after release. His brother later filed a complaint alleging torture in custody.
In 1996, Bhatt was superintendent of police in Banaskantha district. Police raided a hotel room in Palanpur and claimed to find opium, leading to the arrest of a Rajasthan-based lawyer, Sumer Singh Rajpurohit. The lawyer said the drugs were planted to frame him over a property dispute.
Bhatt later moved to intelligence roles and was deputy commissioner in the State Intelligence Bureau during the 2002 riots.
The 2002 Riots and Bhatt’s Stand
The 2002 Gujarat riots broke out after a train coach carrying Hindu pilgrims caught fire in Godhra, killing many. This led to widespread violence, with over 1,000 people killed, mostly Muslims.
Bhatt filed an affidavit saying he attended a meeting at the chief minister’s residence on February 27, 2002, where instructions were given not to stop Hindu anger. A Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) later said Bhatt was not at the meeting and cleared Modi of wrongdoing.
Bhatt’s claims led to big controversy. He said he was speaking truth to power. The state government saw it as an attempt to defame leaders.
Legal Troubles Begin
After his affidavit, old cases against Bhatt were revived. In the 1990 custodial death case, a Jamnagar court convicted him and another officer in 2019, giving life imprisonment. Gujarat High Court upheld this in 2024. Supreme Court rejected bail and suspension in April 2025.
In the 1996 drug case, a Palanpur court convicted him in 2024 and gave 20 years jail, to run after the life sentence. Supreme Court rejected suspension of this sentence on December 11, 2025.
Bhatt was acquitted in a 1997 custodial torture case in December 2024 due to lack of evidence.
He has been in different jails, including Palanpur and now Rajkot Central Jail.
Family Speaks Out
Bhatt’s wife Shweta and children Aakashi and Shantanu have often spoken about his ordeal. In past statements, they called the cases fabricated to silence him.
Shweta Bhatt once said her husband spoke truth to power and is paying the price. On marking seven years in jail in September 2025, she questioned why honest officers suffer while others go free.
Children have written open letters on birthdays and Father’s Day, saying their father stood for justice and the family misses him.
They highlight the strong family bond, sharing old photos of Bhatt in uniform and recent family moments abroad before his arrest.
Ongoing Appeals and Health
Bhatt’s appeals are pending in higher courts. Family says he follows a strict exercise routine in jail and is in good health, though old age brings minor issues like mild joint changes.
Prison authorities have reported he does hours of workouts daily.
What People Say
Human rights groups call Bhatt a whistleblower punished for courage. Some articles say he is a prisoner of conscience.
Government side points to court convictions in serious cases like murder and framing.
Bhatt’s supporters quote him from old letters: “Thuggery should never become governance.”
As he spends his 62nd birthday in jail, the case reminds many of the long shadows of 2002 riots on Gujarat’s police and politics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Sanjiv Bhatt?
Sanjiv Bhatt is a former IPS officer from Gujarat cadre, joined in 1988. He served in districts like Jamnagar and Banaskantha, and in intelligence. He is known for his 2011 affidavit in Supreme Court about 2002 Gujarat riots.
Why is Sanjiv Bhatt in jail?
He is serving life imprisonment for a 1990 custodial death case, upheld by courts. Also 20 years for 1996 case of framing a lawyer with drugs. Sentences are consecutive.
What happened in 2002 riots case against him?
Bhatt claimed Modi instructed police to allow violence. SIT said he was not present and cleared Modi. No case against Modi, but Bhatt faced charges for false evidence in related matters.
When was he dismissed from service?
In 2015, for unauthorised absence and other charges.
Is he out on bail?
No, Supreme Court rejected suspension of sentences in both main cases recently.
How is his health in prison?
Reports say he is fit, does regular exercise like planks and walks for hours.
What does his family say?
They call charges false and motivated. They say he is punished for speaking against powerful people in 2002 riots.
Are there any recent court decisions?
Yes, acquitted in one old torture case in 2024. But main sentences stand.
Can he get release soon?
Appeals pending. Family hopes for bail, but courts have denied interim relief so far.