Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt sacked

Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who had taken on the Gujarat government headed by Narendra Modi over the 2002 post-Godhra riots, was on Wednesday dismissed on the ground of "unauthorised absence" from service, an action which he said came after a "sham inquiry".

"Yes, it is true that my services have been terminated. This was expected. They have been conducting a completely ex-parte inquiry. I got the letter (dismissal order) from them (the Home ministry)," Bhatt told PTI this evening.

Gujarat Chief Secretary G R Aloria confirmed the development. "Services of Sanjiv Bhatt have been terminated," he said.

Bhatt said he was dismissed on the basis of "a sham inquiry" with regard to his "unauthorised absence" from service when he had come to Ahmedabad to depose before the special investigative team (SIT) probing the 2002 riots.

When asked if he will challenge his sacking, Bhatt said he did not want to impose himself on the government.

"A lot can be done (against the move) but whether it is worth challenging.... Government does not want me, why I should be so keen that I want to remain in this," Bhatt said.

"I had joined the police with a passion, now it seems the country and this government does not need me. So, whatever has happened is good. I cannot impose myself on the government."

Bhatt, a 1988 batch IPS officer, was under suspension since 2011 for unauthorised absence from service.

He had alleged in an affidavit in the Supreme Court that Narendra Modi, then the Chief Minister, instructed the top police officers to allow the Hindus "to vent out their anger" after the train-burning incident at Godhra in February 2002.