Sanjiv Bhatt demands fool-proof security from SIT

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Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt has written a fresh letter to the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the 2002 Godhra riots case, demanding fool-proof security cover for himself and his family.

"I request to initiate all necessary measures to ensure that adequate and fool-proof security cover is provided to me and my family members," Bhatt stated in a letter, written to SIT chairman R K Raghavan.

"The existing arrangements for my security as well as the safety and security of my family are neither adequate nor fool-proof and amount to nothing more than procedural eyewash," he stated.

It may be noted that one of the important witnesses of the Naroda Patiya massacre of 2002, Nadeem Saiyed, was murdered today in Ahmedabad, despite the police protection provided to him, Bhatt wrote in the letter.

"As you are aware, I have fearlessly deposed against Gujarat CM Narendra Modi and his accomplices before various forums, including the SIT chaired by you," he stated, adding "Needless to say, the threat to me and my family is increasing with each passing day, as my depositions have evoked very strong feelings of antipathy and hatred towards me."

"I am pained to reiterate that despite nearly eight months passing by, the Gujarat government continues to play truant with respect to my security concerns," Bhatt stated. Bhatt had earlier written five letters to the SIT chairman over his security issues.

Bhatt had stirred a controversy after making startling disclosures in his affidavit filed in a court with regard to the role of the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 riots.

In April this year, Bhatt had also filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, raising serious apprehensions over the probe being carried out by SIT with regard to the 2002 riots.

Bhatt was arrested on September 30, in connection with an FIR filed against him by a police constable K D Pant for allegedly threatening, wrongfully confining and restraining him and making him sign a false affidavit.

The affidavit was regarding Bhatt's presence in the February 27, 2002 meeting, called by Modi, after the Godhra train burning incident.

Bhatt was granted bail by a local court here on October 17 last month.