Sanjiv Bhatt Appeals Supreme Court for Suspension of 20-Year Sentence in Drug Case

Sanjiv Bhatt, a former IPS officer, has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court to suspend his 20-year prison sentence related to a drug planting case from 1996. Currently serving a life sentence for a separate custodial death case, Bhatt's legal team has requested a review of the sentence, which was imposed after a sessions court found him guilty of serious offenses. The case has drawn significant attention due to its implications for law enforcement and the judicial process. As Bhatt's plea awaits a hearing, the legal community watches closely to see how this high-profile case unfolds.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 3, 2025, 20:17 IST

Sanjiv Bhatt's Legal Battle Continues

Former Indian Police Service officer Sanjiv Bhatt has approached the Supreme Court to request the suspension of his 20-year prison sentence related to a drug planting incident from 1996, as reported on Wednesday.

In addition to this case, Bhatt is currently serving a life sentence stemming from a separate custodial death case from 1990.

His plea was presented before a bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi but was postponed at the request of his attorney, Kapil Sibal.

Bhatt's arrest occurred in 2018 following a complaint by a lawyer from Rajasthan, Sumer Singh Rajpurohit, who alleged that Bhatt and others had planted 1.15 kg of opium in a hotel in Palanpur, Gujarat, where he was staying in 1996.

At the time of the alleged drug planting, Bhatt held the position of district superintendent of police in Banaskantha. Another officer, Inspector IB Vyas, was implicated in the case and became an approver in 2021.

The prosecution claims that Bhatt and his co-defendants conspired to falsely accuse the lawyer under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

In March 2024, a sessions court in Palanpur sentenced Bhatt to 20 years in prison under the Act's provisions.

He was also found guilty of multiple offenses under the Indian Penal Code, including forgery, wrongful confinement, criminal conspiracy, and the use of forged documents.

Subsequently, Bhatt sought suspension of his sentence and bail from the Gujarat High Court, which denied his request, citing the serious nature of the crime and the stringent conditions outlined in Section 37 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, which governs cognizable and non-bailable offenses.