The Gujarat government on Monday tried to distance itself from suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s case, even as his family rejoiced at his bail.
Bhatt received an emotional welcome at his residence in Memnagar from Shweta, their two children and other family members.
Shweta, who had repeatedly urged union home minister P Chidambaram for adequate security to her family and husband, could not hold back her tears when hundreds of his supporters lifted him on their shoulders.
Shweta said, “We had faith in the judiciary and now it has been proved right...I thank all those who have stood by us.” The ruling BJP said Bhatt was arrested on a private complaint and the state government had nothing to do with the issue.
Gujarat government spokesperson Jaynarayan Vyas said, “At no stage the state government was involved as the police was acting in accordance with law.”
Vyas, however, added the bail was not a judgment and the case against Bhatt was pending and investigations were underway.
The opposition Congress hailed the bail saying the case against Bhatt had collapsed because the charges against him were not corroborated with evidence.
{{/usCountry}}The opposition Congress hailed the bail saying the case against Bhatt had collapsed because the charges against him were not corroborated with evidence.
{{/usCountry}}State Congress president Arjun Modhvadia, who had on Sunday accused the state government of trying to implicate him in Bhatt’s case, said: “We have always maintained that the case against Bhatt is fabricated and meant to harass him and his family.”
In New Delhi, union law minister Salman Khurshid said, “No matter how much people speculate and put question marks, ultimately... we have shown our system is independent and it does not get swayed either by public opinion or by any kind of pressure.”
Rights activist Shabnam Hashmi said, “It’s a victory for all as we have been protesting the arrest of Bhatt.”
With inputs from Agencies