Intimated, Guj govt has withdrawn security: Bhatt

Describing the withdrawal of his and his family's security cover by the Gujarat government as intimidation, Indian Police Service officer Sanjiv Bhatt on Friday said it was a "desperate measure by desperate men who are afraid of the truth" coming out with regard to the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

However, state Director General of Police Chitranjan Singh's office said there was no security threat to Bhatt, but following his demand with the Special Investigation Team for security, an armed constable will remain with him round the clock.

The DGP office in Ahmedabad had on Thursday issued orders to all the five security men and a driver deployed with Bhatt to report to their headquarters in Junagadh immediately or else their stay outside the headquarters would be termed illegal.

Bhatt claimed that this was the second such order asking for withdrawal of security for him and his family despite him being recommended Y-category security by the State Intelligence Bureau. Earlier this month, additional director general of police (training) had ordered that the five men and vehicle deployed with Bhatt be sent back to Junagadh. Bhatt is at present on leave.

"These are intimidatory tactics that would undermine and jeopardise my safety and security of my family," Bhatt told mediapersons on Friday.
"Someone in the government is afraid of the truth about 2002 riots coming out. The withdrawal of security was a desperate measure by desperate men," he said.

Bhatt, in his affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, had alleged that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi instructed officers during a late night meeting held on February 27, 2002, to allow Hindus "to vent out their anger" during the clashes as he wanted Muslims to be "taught a lesson".

Bhatt, who is posted as principal, State Reserve Police Training Center, Junagadh, said government had earlier asked him to relieve the men deployed with him. "Since I resisted their orders and requested for security for me and my family, they have now issued orders directly to the constables to report to their headquarter or else action could be taken against them," he said, adding the five armed constables and a driver, along with the official vehicle, would be sent back to Junagadh.

Bhatt, in a strongly worded letter to DGP, said, "Despite repeated written requests for providing adequate and fool-proof security to me and my family, you have continued to take proactive steps to jeopardise my security and safety of my family by repeatedly ordering withdrawal of security."

Meanwhile, the DGP office issued an official statement on why security was not required for Bhatt. "On assessing the threat to Bhatt it was found that he did not receive any threat call or intimidation from anybody. Therefore, there was no recommendation of security cover for him," the statement said.

It further clarified, that security to a police officer at his residence is provided only at the place of his posting.

"But, Bhatt, without permission of his superior officer, had taken the police security officials to his Ahmedabad residence," the statement said.

However, based on Bhatt's letter to the SIT, probing some riot cases, demanding security, the home department has issued orders to deploy an armed constable with Bhatt round the clock, it added.

The statement by the DGP office further said that Bhatt was asked not to go on leave while his application for half-pay leave for 54 days was under consideration. "But Bhatt, disregarding the orders went on sick leave," the statement said.

In his affidavit filed on April 14 in the apex court, Bhatt also accused the Supreme Court appointed SIT of coercing witnesses, hostility, cover-up of probe, and showing reluctance in recording important information with regard to the post-Godhra riots.

Bhatt, who was questioned by SIT from March 21 to March 23, said after facing 'unconcealed hostility' by SIT members he was under the apprehension that the agency was part of the cover-up operation with regard to the probe in riot cases. Post his affidavit in the apex court, Bhatt has been summoned by the Nanavati Commission, probing the 2002 riot cases, on May 16.