Gujarat Police say no threat to IPS officer Bhatt''s life

Ahmedabad, Oct 1: Gujarat Police today described as "unfounded" the fear expressed by the wife of arrested IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt that there is a threat to his life.

"We do not perceive any threat to the life of Bhatt. The fear expressed by his wife is unfounded," City Police Commissioner Sudhir Sinha told PTI.

"The wife of Mr Bhatt had submitted a letter to the Police Control Room, saying there is a threat to his life as his custody has been handed over to Crime Branch," he said.

"Bhatt will be soon produced in the court, which will decide about further action on the complaint against him." A day after Bhatt was arrested, his wife today said she feared for her husband''s life and has written letters to the DGP and city Police Commissioner demanding justice.

"A case was lodged against Sanjiv in Ghatlodia Police Station and he was handed over to Crime Branch (officials), who are encounter specialists. I can''t trust them at all. I fear for his life," Shweta Bhatt said.

"In wake of these circumstances, I have written letters to Director General of Police Chitranjan Singh, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner and Chief Judicial Magistrate of a local court, narrating what is happening with us and demanding justice," she said.

Meanwhile, activists Mallika Sarabhai and former Gujarat DGP R B Sreekumar went to meet Bhatt at the Crime Branch office here. However, they were not allowed to meet the IPS officer as they had not taken permission.

Bhatt was arrested yesterday in connection with an FIR filed against him by Police Constable K D Pant for allegedly threatening him and making him sign a false affidavit with regard to a meeting called by Chief Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2002, hours after Godhra train carnage.

PTI