In a major legal setback for former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, the Gujarat High Court has firmly dismissed petitions filed by his wife, Shweta Bhatt, that sought upgraded first-class prisoner status for the convicted officer.
Court's Firm Stand on Prisoner Classification
The bench delivered a clear verdict, rejecting the pleas that argued for better prison facilities for the former police officer. Sanjiv Bhatt is currently serving a life sentence following his conviction in a 1990 custodial death case that dates back three decades.
Background of the Legal Battle
Sanjiv Bhatt, once a high-ranking Indian Police Service officer, has been at the center of numerous legal controversies. His current imprisonment stems from a case where he was found guilty in connection with the death of a person in police custody when he was serving as the superintendent of police in Jamnagar district.
The petitions filed by his wife sought to upgrade his prisoner status to first-class, which would have entitled him to better living conditions, food facilities, and other privileges within the prison system. However, the court found no grounds to grant this special status.
Legal Implications and Future Prospects
This decision marks another chapter in the long-standing legal battles surrounding the former IPS officer. The rejection of first-class prisoner status maintains his current classification within the prison system, meaning he will continue serving his sentence under standard prison conditions.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Bhatt's previous high-profile status and his history of legal confrontations with the establishment. Legal experts suggest this ruling could have implications for how prisoner classification is handled in similar cases involving former high-ranking officials.
