SC issues notice on Sanjiv Bhatt's appeal against conviction in custodial death case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the State of Gujarat in response to a plea by former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, challenging the Gujarat High Court's dismissal of his appeal against a conviction and life imprisonment sentence. The sentence was handed down by a Jamnagar Court in connection with a 1990 custodial death case.
The Bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale, has tagged Bhatt’s petition with other related pleas pending before the Supreme Court. Senior Advocates Kapil Sibal and Devdatt Kamat, representing Bhatt, highlighted the need for a hearing, leading the court to set a returnable notice within four weeks.
Bhatt was convicted for the custodial death of Prabhudas Madhavji Vaishnani, who was allegedly tortured while in police custody during his tenure as the Assistant Superintendent of Police in Jamnagar. Vaishnani was among 133 individuals detained during a Bharat Bandh in November 1990. He died ten days after being released on bail, with renal failure cited as the cause of death.
In June 2019, a Sessions Court in Jamnagar sentenced Bhatt and police constable Pravinsinh Zala to life imprisonment, finding them guilty under sections 302 (murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506(1) (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Other officers involved received convictions under lesser charges.
The Gujarat High Court, earlier this year, upheld the Jamnagar Court's decision, finding no grounds for interference in the conviction. Bhatt’s appeal against this decision is now pending before the Supreme Court.
In a separate case, Bhatt was sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2024 for a 1996 drug-planting case.
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Use AI-based security system to ensure safety of women healthcare personnel: Sharan Prakash Patil
Bengaluru, Sep 13: Karnataka's minister for Medical Education & Skill Development Sharan Prakash Patil on Friday suggested integration of AI technology in the security system to ensure safety of women healthcare personnel across Karnataka, an official release said.
The minister chaired a high-level meeting at Vikasa Soudha to discuss measures aimed at strengthening security at medical colleges, hospitals and hostels. This follows a previous meeting led by Patil to review the current security systems and propose enhancements.
During the meeting, Patil also emphasised the importance of integrating feedback from women healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. “Directors of medical institutions must gather feedback in writing and take concrete steps to implement necessary measures."
Patil suggested that a security audit committee should be formed with monthly meetings to review the safety protocols. Additionally, thorough background checks must be conducted for all security personnel, according to the release.
“To further ensure safety, 24/7 canteen facilities should be available so that women healthcare staff do not need to leave the premises,” the minister said.
Patil also announced that a panel will be formed at the State Secretariat to oversee the implementation of these measures.
B L Sujatha Rathod, Director of Medical Education, provided a detailed presentation on the current security initiatives. The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Mohammad Mohsin, Principal Secretary of Medical Education, Mission Director of National Health Mission Y Naveen Bhat and Venkateshmurthy, Joint Secretary.
ಇಂದು ವಿಕಾಸಸೌಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿ ಸುರಕ್ಷತೆಯ ಕುರಿತ ಉನ್ನತಮಟ್ಟದ ಸಭೆಯ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷತೆ ವಹಿಸಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದೆ.
— Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil (@S_PrakashPatil) September 13, 2024
ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಾದ್ಯಂತ ಮಹಿಳಾ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಭದ್ರತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಒದಗಿಸುವ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯಾಧುನಿಕ ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗುವುದು.
ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಭದ್ರತಾ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಪರಿಶೀಲಿಸಿ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಕಾಲೇಜು,… pic.twitter.com/cEsiOYtYm0
