SC dismisses ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt’s plea in 1996 drug seizure case

The court also imposed a cost of ₹10,000 on Bhatt for filing a “frivolous” petition

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt challenging a Gujarat High Court order which set a deadline for completion of trial in a 1996 drug seizure case.

A Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and Aravind Kumar also imposed a cost of ₹10,000 on Mr. Bhatt for filing a “frivolous” petition.

The top court directed Mr. Bhatt to deposit the amount with the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority.

“The petitioner rather than approaching this Court ought to have cooperated with the trial court for expeditious disposal. The grant of extension is matter for the trial court. The petition is found to be absolutely frivolous and costs of ₹10,000 are imposed,” the Bench said.

Senior advocate Devadatt Kamat, appearing for Mr. Bhatt, submitted that a number of witnesses have not yet been examined and directions, as issued by high court, will prevent the trial court from deciding the matter in a judicious manner.

Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Gujarat, argued that parties in criminal trial should be keen on swift disposal of the matter.

Mr. Bhatt, who was sacked from service in 2015, was a superintendent of police in Banaskantha district in 1996.