Ahmedabad, September 30
Suspended IPS officer Sanjeev Bhatt, who had accused Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of complicity in 2002 post-Godhra riots, was arrested today following a complaint by a police constable.

Bhatt was being questioned in connection with an FIR filed against him by constable KD Pant, who had worked under him during the 2002 riots. 

He has been accused of threatening a public servant, fabricating false evidence and wrongful confinement.

“Bhatt has been arrested and is being questioned,” City Police Commissioner Sudhir Sinha said.Pant alleged that Bhatt had threatened and made him sign a “false” affidavit about a high-level meeting called by Modi on February 27, 2002 after the Godhra train attack in which 59 persons were killed.

According to Bhatt, Modi is alleged to have said at the meeting that the Hindus should be allowed to vent their anger and that Muslims should be taught a lesson.

“Bhatt has been brought in for questioning with regard to the FIR against him in the Ghatlodia police station. His statement will be recorded.” Gujarat DGP Chitranjan Singh said.

Bhatt has received a notice issued to the Gujarat Police with regard to the case from the Supreme Court on his petition, the DGP added.

He was taken to the Ghatlodia police station by ACP NC Patel, the police said.

According to Pant’s FIR, on June 16 he got a call from Bhatt asking him to come to his residence for some work.

As per the FIR, when Pant reached Bhatt’s residence, the IPS officer informed him that amicus curie from the Supreme Court was coming on June 18 and they had to meet him to record a statement.

Pant alleged that Bhatt asked him to tell the amicus curie that the Special Investigation Team had forcefully recorded his statement. When he resisted, Bhatt allegedly threatened him and said that there was no need to worry if he did what he was told.

The police constable further claimed that Bhatt took him to meet state Congress president Arjun Modhwadia at his residence. Modhwadia, too, assured him that there was no need to worry and he should do what Bhatt was asking, he added.

After meeting Modhwadia, Bhatt took Pant to the office of an advocate and notary near the Gujarat High Court and made him sign two sets of affidavits, the FIR claimed.

Bhatt, in his affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, where he had alleged complicity of Modi in the post-Godhra riots, had stated that Pant who knew about Modi’s meeting was threatened with dire consequences and arrested by the the Special Investigation Team, which is probing some of the 2002 riot cases on the direction of the apex court.

He had further alleged that Pant was virtually treated like an accused by the Special Investigation Team during his questioning on April 5, 2011. — PTI

Sanjeev Bhatt had accused Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi of complicity in 2002 post-Godhra riots

Bhatt has now been arrested in connection with an FIR filed against him by constable KD Pant, who had worked under him during the 2002 riots.

Pant alleged that Bhatt had threatened and made him sign a “false” affidavit about a high-level meeting called by Modi on February 27, 2002 after the Godhra train attack.