Sanjiv Bhatt Sanjiv Bhatt

A day after IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who had taken on the Gujarat government over its handling of the 2002 riots, was dismissed from service, his son Shantanu Bhatt came out in full support of his father in a poignant message he sent from London. Sanjiv Bhatt has posted his message on Facebook, saying, “Shweta and I are to proud to have a loving son like him”.

Here’s the message:

On this sad day, when the Republic of India loses one of its brightest, most intelligent, upright and courageous officer. I would like to salute you dad, I would like to salute you and thank you, as your son and as an educated, aware and responsible citizen of this wonderful country, for doing what was right without even thinking once what effects it might have on you and your career as an Indian Police Service Officer.

I would like to thank you for standing up for the people whose screams for help and protests fell on deaf ears! I would like to tell you today, how proud of you I am for fighting an uphill battle against a well equipped and dangerously subverted system with all your might and vigour, but let me remind you that the battle is not over yet! It has just gotten dirtier and more dangerous, but you still stand where you stood 14 years ago in 2002 and with the same courage and fearlessness that you had when you entered the Indian Police Service 27 years ago, ready to take on even the most pernicious government which presides over the Republic of India at the moment.

We as a family have always stood behind you, supporting you and we will continue you to do so, the reprobate people running this government might try even harder to unsettle us a family now, But let me tell them that we are a family bound by undying love, trust and respect for each other, vain yet consistent attempts to break you and break us will only make us stronger and unflinching in our support towards you and the cause you are fighting for!

And lastly, I would like to congratulate you for getting freedom from the shackles of this rancorous government which tries to break and antagonise anyone who tries to speak up against them, or tries to stand up for what is right! In this new chapter of your life, I would wish you all the very best for pursuing whatever makes you happy and satisfies you and we as a family will always be behind you, supporting every decision you take!

Lots of love and respect,

Shantanu Bhatt

(An extremely proud and loving son)

— with Aakashi Bhatt.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Bhatt wrote: “Finally removed from service today after serving 27 years in the Indian Police Service. Once again eligible for employment. :) Any takers?”

Incidentally, the Gujarat government had recently issued a show cause notice to Bhatt after its Home Department received a complaint against him based on an alleged “sex video”. When contacted, Bhatt questioned the timing of the termination order and the show cause notice. “They issued the show cause notice a day after the removal order only to malign me,” he alleged. “If the government doesn’t want me in service, I am not going to challenge the decision,” he said.

Bhatt has been under suspension since 2011 after he took on the then state government under Narendra Modi over the 2002 Gujarat riots.

A 1988 batch IPS officer, Bhatt had filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court, claiming that he had attended a meeting on February 27, 2002 at Modi’s residence in Gandhinagar, where he claimed the then CM allegedly told his officers to “allow Hindus to vent their anger”.

📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App.

© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd