‘Tomorrow it could be you’: Sanjiv Bhatt’s wife warns every Indian citizen against ruthless regime

coastaldigest.com web desk
October 13, 2018

Shweta Bhatt, the wife former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhat, who has been facing the wrath of the government after he exposed the then state government’s involvement in 2002 Gujarat carnage, has written an open letter warning every Indian citizen against the brutality of the government.

In 2011, Sanjiv Bhatt had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court accusing Narendra Modi of being complicit in the 2002 Gujarat carnage. Bhatt was removed from the police service in 2015 after he refused to stop raising voice against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat during the carnage.

On September 5 the Gujarat Police detained former police officer Sanjiv Bhatt in Ahmedabad for questioning in a 20-year-old criminal case relating to falsely framing a lawyer. He continues to remain in custody since then.

Bhatt’s wife in her letter uploaded on social media platforms has called upon every citizen of India, irrespective of his or her political or ideological inclination, to come out openly and question the regime:

Here’s the full text of Shweta Sanjiv Bhatt’s letter:

Since the past 4 months, the government has left no stone unturned in trying to subdue, victimise and harass our family.

1. In July, our security cover was removed, despite the government being fully aware of the threats on my husband’s life, as one of the main witnesses of the 2002 riots case.

2. A couple of days later, the AMC suddenly demolished parts of our house, in which we had lived for the past 23 years - an initiative based on absolutely illegal and flimsy grounds. They demolished the kitchen, the washrooms and parts of the bedrooms, while making sure to do irreparable damage to the structural integrity of the entire house.

3. On the 5th of September, the CID Crime branch entered our house ‪at 8am, on the grounds of picking up my husband for recording his “statement”. It is worth mentioning that the CID Crime Branch officers entered our bedroom while I was sleeping there, in full knowledge, shamelessly invading my privacy, despite Sanjiv having already met with them and changing to leave with them.

The events that unfolded are the following.

5th September:

Sanjiv was detained and arrested on the 5th of September 2018 in a 22-year-old case. The doorbell rang ‪at around 8 am. Led by the two officers, an entire unit of policemen barged into our house, covering it inside and out, some even trying to enter our bedroom until they were stopped by my son.

6th September:

On 6th September 2018, the CID/ (Gujarat) State Government presented Sanjiv in the Palanpur court in a 22-year-old case and asked for a remand of 14 days.

Fortunately, India’s democracy is grounded in the rule of law, and there are still judges standing by this founding but fading principle. Logically and courageously, the court refused to grant remand, observing that “there is no justifiable ground to grant the police remand at this stage”.

Unfortunately, the magistrate’s strict application of the law was labelled as an “act of insubordination” (to whom?), and her decision appealed.

7th September:

As was expected, the state challenged the Magistrate court’s order, without wasting a single day.

10th September:

The State’s appeal for Sanjiv’s remand was heard by the Gujarat High court ‪at 2:30 pm. Following the dismissal of their application for custody in the sessions court, the state frantically reiterated at length their previously cited argument, without having anything substantial to add.

The matter was partially heard and got adjourned until 2:30 pm on the 11th of September.

11th September:

The State’s appeal for remand, which had been dismissed by the sessions court, was granted by the High Court of Gujarat. The latter passed an order granting 10 days remand of Sanjiv to the state police.

18th of September:

We moved the Supreme Court challenging the remand order granted by the High Court of Gujarat; the hearing was scheduled for the 24th of September.

24th September:

The Supreme Court moved the hearing of the appeal to the 4th of October. Incidentally, by this time the remand period would already be over. Sanjiv was moved from police custody to judicial custody on the 21st.

4th October:

The Supreme Court, observing that the remand period was already over, directed the lawyers to “move the appropriate court” for the bail application.

10th October:

The bail application filed in the sessions court was heard by the judge. The state, in an attempt to further delay the process, requested for more time to prepare an affidavit challenging our bail application and was subsequently granted time ‪till the 16th of October.

It has now almost been a month since Sanjiv’s remand period elapsed, however, Sanjiv still remains in custody.

The above events, clearly show how scared the government is of Sanjiv Bhatt, and to what extent they would go to try to intimidate him and his family. We live in a country where democracy and judiciary should be celebrated, instead of being subverted and used for personal benefits and vendettas. As an Indian I feel deeply ashamed of seeing the current sorry state of affairs in the country and the way this government is punishing and hurting whistleblowers everywhere. This needs to come to an end, we need to bring this to an end.

From the 5th of September till the 12th of October, it’s been 37 days since Sanjiv was taken away from home, from his family, in a 22-year-old case. Yet today we are still struggling for bail. The next hearing is on the 16th of October, and we really hope that justice does prevail on that day.

After reading all of the above, I am sure most of you have a lot of questions in mind, regarding the functioning of the government and the way this systematic victimisation of whistleblowers and opponents is taking place. It’s time each and every one of us, irrespective of our political or ideological inclination, come out openly and question this regime, whenever we feel that someone is being wronged. These are the actions of a government left unquestioned. Is it not time that we hold the government responsible for their actions? Today it is us, tomorrow it could be you.

God Bless

#EnoughIsEnough #JusticeForSanjivBhatt

Comments

Fairman
 - 
Sunday, 14 Oct 2018

I request someone please open a page to support SANJEEV BHAT.

Bhat's Fair Su…
 - 
Saturday, 13 Oct 2018

Let us make a facebook group.

-    JUSTICE GROUP FOR SANJEEV BHAT'    

 

Social media has effectively united many people and deposed the country's top leaders, presidents.

Let all be united and fight for this innocent brother SANJEEV BHAT. He is proud of our Country.

 Regardless what is our cast, religion, let us all united, fight in support this innocent brother  against his own stateman  MODI.  

Shamless Modi, can be overthrown.  If anybody has the fear of his/her creator the  God, come forward and join hands.

Every religion commands not to bow to the injustice.  Let us teach MODI & his ciminal associates a good unforgettable lesson that TRUTH WILL NOT BE DEFEATED.

 

Jai  to Truth and Justice.

Shocked Indian
 - 
Saturday, 13 Oct 2018

They entered the bedroom when she was sleeping there... This shows what kind of people they are and what they can do. We must consider this as a wakeup call. Need to act in 2019 polls. Otherwise it will be too late. They can rape our wives. 

Niki Jobe
 - 
Saturday, 13 Oct 2018

If he was in Mumbai, they would have eliminated him during Mumbai terror attack just like they finished Hemant Karkare and other cops who had taken on saffron terrorists.

Madhusoodhan
 - 
Saturday, 13 Oct 2018

If this is the situation of a pure Brahmin like Sanjiv Bhatt, then what’s the fate of lower caste people in the country? It really scares us.

zahoor ahmed
 - 
Saturday, 13 Oct 2018

No Doubt, We Peace loving People with you always.

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News Network
May 2,2020

Bengaluru, May 2: The Centre’s classification of districts created confusion in Karnataka as the state’s own categorisation deviates significantly from the health ministry’s list.

For instance, the Centre put the number of districts in the red zone in state at three, while the state Covid-19 war room puts it at 14. Bengaluru Urban and Mysuru figure in the red zone in both lists. While Bengaluru Rural with zero active cases on May 1makes it to the Centre’s red-zone list, it is in the orange zone according to the state.

In addition to these two, the state classifies Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Mandya, Bidar, Dakshina Kannada, Chikkaballapura, Dharwad, Gadag, Tumakuru and Davanagere as red-zone districts.

State Covid war-room authorities said they would take a look at the Centre’s criteria for classification and take a call. Besides, incharge Munish Mudgil pointed out that states are allowed to make additions to the red and orange zones. According to the Centre’s list, Karnataka has 13 districts in the orange zone and 14 in the green zone.

Sudan said, “the districts were earlier designated as hotspots or red zones, orange zones and green zones primarily based on the cumulative cases reported and the doubling rate. Since recovery rates have gone up, the districts are now being designated across various zones duly broad-basing the criteria.

This classification takes into consideration incidence of cases, doubling rate, extent of testing and surveillance feedback. A district will be considered under the green zone if there are no confirmed cases so far or if there is no reported case in the past 21 days.”

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News Network
July 6,2020

Jul 6: At least 8 lakh Indians may be forced to leave Kuwait as the country's legal and legislative committee has approved a draft expat quota Bill, reported.

The Bill, which states that Indians should not exceed 15 percent of the population, was determined as constitutional by the National Assembly, local media reported.

It will soon be transferred to the respective committee so that a comprehensive plan is created.

Expats account for 30 lakh of Kuwait's 43 lakh population. Indian community constitutes the largest expat community in Kuwait, totalling 14.5 lakh.

The move comes as the number of Covid-19 cases has spiked in the country, with 49,000 cases being reported so far.

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News Network
March 19,2020

Bengaluru, Mar 19: Medical Education Minister Dr Sudhakar on Wednesday said that the government is increasing the number of labs for COVID-19.

"For the last two months, screening has been done at airports. Quarantine is also being done. The situation was reviewed by the state cabinet. All passengers from abroad will be home quarantined or they can stay at government facilities or budget hotels or resorts or private hospitals," Sudhakar said in the Assembly.

"We have issued many advisories. Until 31st March, pubs, and hotels, religious events, should not have an assembly of more than 100 persons. Two bulletins will be issued twice a day. All those who arrive from abroad will be stamped that they have arrived from abroad. Covid-19 is growing at a phenomenal pace. We need not panic but we need to be cautious," he said.

Sudhakar continued: "There are 54 labs in the country. Karnataka has five labs, the most among all states. We are increasing the number of labs. In our country, we have tested less than 10 per cent. In Karnataka, we should conduct test on more people."

The minister said the government will devise a way to be able to track down all those home quarantined through their mobile phones.

"Karnataka stands fourth after Maharashtra, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. We are in the second stage. The next 2-3 weeks are detrimental. This is a pandemic situation. People have to also take responsibility. Social distancing is the real solution and key to eradicating this COVID-19. In the larger interest of the health of the state, we have to take drastic measures," he said.

"We are now in the 2nd stage. The next 3 weeks are very important. If we take care, the state can escape what's happening worldwide," he said.

Congress MLA UT Khader demanded action against those people who do not follow rules.

"Only shutting airports will not help. What about domestic passengers? Coronavirus must come under Ayushman Bharat. Keep isolated patients away from normal people in the ICU in government hospitals. Take action against those who do not follow the rules," he said.

Congress MLA Dr Yathindras said that screening is not enough and travelers need to be lab tested.

A total of 151 positive cases of coronavirus have been reported in India so far, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Wednesday.

Thirteen positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Karnataka till today.

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