Police on Saturday conducted a second search at the residence of arrested IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who had implicated Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the 2002 post-Godhra riots.
The police had attempted to search his residence earlier in the day but had to go back after Shweta Bhatt, wife of the IPS officer, raised questions about the veracity of search warrant they had bought with them. But they later returned with a fresh warrant.
Police had searched Bhatt's house yesterday as well after his arrest following a complaint by a constable that the officer had threatened him and made him sign a false affidavit with regard to a meeting called by Modi on February 27, 2002.
"Our house was searched for more than three hours today by 30 to 35 policemen after the cops returned with what seemed to be an amended searched warrant on which it seemed just the date was changed," Shweta Bhatt said.
"Earlier today, the police had come with yesterday's search warrant to which I had objected and they could not reply to my objections," she claimed.
"It seems, they had come to search a few documents," Shweta said, adding "a valuer was also called by the police and valuation of objects in my house was done,".
Speaking about the local court order today which granted judicial custody to Bhatt, Shweta said, "it shows there was no strength in the case. If police remand was not rejected, they (police) would have harassed Sanjiv like anything.
"Let us see what happens on Monday. We shall come to know if can we look for justice in Gujarat or not," she said.
Bhatt was arrested in connection with an FIR filed by a constable K D Pant. He was remanded in judicial custody by a local court here today.
Bhatt has been locked in a public confrontation with Modi after he filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court accusing the chief minister of complicity in the 2002 riots. He was also served a charge sheet by the Gujarat Home department in connection with his alleged unauthorised absence from duty.