After testimony against CM, Gujarat cop loses cover

AHMEDABAD: The state government withdrew all official vehicles and staff with IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt after his scathing testimony against chief minister Narendra Modi in 2002 riots before the Supreme Court.
Staff from the Karai police academy in Gandhinagar, the police training headquarters, came to Bhatt's home on Friday and withdrew the six men attached to the Sorath post in Junagadh.They were given notices and asked to return to Sorath with their vehicles, arms and ammunition. Bhatt was posted as principal of the SRP training school in Sorath in August last year.
The notice citing orders from DGP's office said that if Bhatt resisted, the staff could report back to Sorath.
"I came to Ahmedabad from Junagadh to record my statement before SIT and am on duty,'' Bhatt said.
The IPS officer had told the SC in an affidavit that Modi had said Hindus should be allowed to vent their anger in a meeting on February 27, 2002 after the Godhra train burning.
Sources from DGP office said Bhatt did not report on duty ever since his posting at the SRP training school, and that he was using the staff and vehicles attached to this office in Ahmedabad.
The DGP office also clarified on allegations in Bhatt's affidavit in the apex court. It said Bhatt's security was not withdrawn. After recording this statement on March 21 this year, the SIT headed by retired CBI director R K Raghavan, wrote to the DGP office requesting him to provide security to Bhatt. The IPS officer also wrote to the DGP office for security.
The Intelligence Bureau after assessing the threat perception for the IPS officer found he was in no danger because whatever he had done was in the capacity of a government officer. Bhatt was recently abused on the college grounds where he jogs every evening. On April 23, he got an armed personal security officer round the clock, as per SC guidelines for witness protection.