Gujarat govt withdraws security of ex- cop Bhatt

Ahmedabad,

July 19: The Gujarat government has withdrawn the security cover provided to former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, claiming that there is no threat to his life now.

A release issued by the Intelligence Wing of the Gujarat CID said that security cover of 64 people, including Mr Bhatt, has been withdrawn following a periodic review of the threat perception in each person's case.

On Wednesday, Mr Bhatt had written a letter to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, requesting him to direct the Home Department “to refrain from taking any steps or measures that would directly or indirectly jeopardise” his security.

Mr Bhatt had been provided an armed Personal Security Officer ( PSO) by the government.

“Bhatt has been dismissed from the service. He was first given security in April 2011 and it remained in place for over seven years now, as he deposed as a witness before the Nanavati Commission and before the SIT probing the 2002 post- Godhra riot cases,” said the release.

However, he is no longer a witness in any such case, and he has no threat from any person or organisation, it said.

Mr Bhatt can always use the three guns that he owns for self- defence, as he got the gun licence only for this purpose, the release said.