SC rejects Sanjiv Bhatt's plea for bail, suspension of sentence in custodial death case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected ex-IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's plea seeking release on bail and suspension of sentence in a 1990 custodial death case.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was dealing with an appeal filed by Bhatt against the Gujarat High Court's judgment upholding the trial court's order of conviction and sentence of life imprisonment.
It clarified that the dismissal of the instant plea for bail would not affect the hearing of the appeal on merits and directed expeditious hearing of the matter.
Earlier, the Gujarat High Court had dismissed Bhatt's appeal against the conviction and sentence.
"We are of the view that the trial court has not committed any error in passing the impugned judgment and therefore, no interference is required in the present appeals. We are of the view that prosecution has proved the case against the respective accused/convicts and hence, no interference is required in the impugned judgment and order passed by the Ld. Trial Court," a bench of Justices Ashutosh Shastri and Sandeep N. Bhatt had ruled.
"We, also on our independent look, perusal and scrutiny of evidence, found that the conclusion arrived at by the learned trial judge in passing an order, impugned in this proceeding, is in consonance with material on record and in accordance with law and there is no element of perversity of any nature."
In 2019, the Jamnagar Sessions Judge had convicted Bhatt for the offences punishable under sections 302, 323, 506 (1) read with sections 34 and 114 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Dismissed from service in 2015, Bhatt has been incarcerated since 2018.
In March 2024, the Palanpur sessions court in Banaskantha district sentenced Bhatt to 20 years in jail for his involvement in a 1996 narcotics case. The trial court found Bhatt guilty of planting drugs to falsely implicate a Rajasthan-based lawyer in Palanpur, where Bhatt was serving as the Superintendent of Police at the time. Bhatt had arrested lawyer Sumersingh Rajpurohit under the NDPS Act, claiming that opium was found in his hotel room.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
32 minutes ago
- United News of India
Sonam, accused of husband Raja's murder, found in UP's Ghazipur
Ghazipur (UP), June 9 (UNI) Sonam Raghuvanshi, accused of killing her Indore-based transport businessman Raja Raghuvanshi in Shillong, Meghalaya, was found in a distraught state in a dhaba located in Nandganj area of Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh, police sources said on Monday. Sonam Raghuvanshi, was missing since her husband's murder in Shillong during their honeymoon trip. Raja Raghuvanshi, son of Indore-based transport businessman Devi Singh, was married to Sonam on May 11. "The couple reached Shillong on May 20 for their honeymoon. The couple disappeared on May 23 during sightseeing," police said. Police sources said that after a lot of searching, Raja's body was found in the jungles. While wife Sonam Raghuvanshi was missing. From the condition of the body and the place where it was found, it was speculated that he was murdered by Bangladeshis, police sources said. They said that along with this it was suspected that Raja might have gone to Bangladesh with his wife Sonam. "After a lot of searching, the police zeroed in on local guides of Shillong who told them that on May 23, three other people were also seen with Raja Raghuvanshi and Sonam Raghuvanshi," said a senior police officer. "On Sunday night, Sonam Raghuvanshi reached a dhaba located in Nandganj police station area of Ghazipur district around 2:30 am and took a mobile phone from the dhaba owner and called her brother Govind," police said. Sources said that Govind immediately informed his acquaintance in Ghazipur. "As soon as the police got the information, a large force including Superintendent of Police (SP) E Raja reached the dhaba. "Sonam was found in a distraught/unconscious state. At present, she is not in a position to talk. On receiving the information of the incident, Raja's family in Indore left for Ghazipur. On the other hand, Meghalaya Police also left for Ghazipur," said a police officer. UNI XC AB PRS
News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
Tour Guide's Claim, Bloodstained Machete: How Police Cracked Meghalaya Murder, Arrested Sonam
Last Updated: Sonam and Raja Raghuvanshi Case: A crucial breakthrough came on June 7, when a local tourist guide informed police that the Indore couple had not been alone on their honeymoon. Raja Raghuvanshi Murder Case: After weeks of relentless investigation, the Meghalaya Police appear to have solved the mysterious disappearance of an Indore-based honeymooning couple, Raja and Sonam Raghuvanshi. What began as a missing persons case has now turned into a shocking tale of betrayal and murder, with the wife emerging as the alleged murderer. How Police Cracked The Case The couple had traveled to Meghalaya in May for their honeymoon. However, by May 23, they had reportedly gone missing from the popular tourist destination of Sohra (Cherrapunjee). The case took a grim turn on June 2, when the body of Raja Raghuvanshi was discovered in a deep gorge near the picturesque Weisawdong Falls. His jewelry – a gold ring and neck chain- were missing, raising suspicions of foul play. A crucial breakthrough came on June 7, when a local tourist guide informed police that the couple had not been alone. On the day they vanished, they were seen with three unidentified men, the guide said. This claim aligned with other clues collected from the scene and led investigators to broaden their probe into a possible murder conspiracy. Within days, more evidence surfaced. A bloodstained machete was recovered from the area, followed by a raincoat—similar to one seen in a CCTV recording from a homestay where the couple had stayed. This footage showed Sonam wearing the same raincoat, strengthening suspicions about her involvement. Investigators also found the couple's rented scooter abandoned in Sohrarim village, with the keys still in place. The distance between where the scooter was discovered and the gorge where Raja's body was found added to the mystery and raised concerns about premeditation. The turning point came on June 9, when Sonam Raghuvanshi was traced to Uttar Pradesh. She surrendered at the Nandganj police station in Ghazipur and was immediately taken into custody. The Meghalaya DGP, Idashisha Nongrang, confirmed her arrest and stated that Sonam had allegedly hired three hitmen to murder her husband during their honeymoon. In coordinated overnight raids, the police also arrested the three alleged assailants. According to police sources, the men confessed that Sonam had orchestrated the killing. Further investigation revealed that she was allegedly in a relationship with another man, Raj Khushwaha, who has been named the main conspirator in the case. Call records have reportedly confirmed frequent communication between Sonam and Khushwaha, lending weight to suspicions of a preexisting affair. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma congratulated the police for cracking the case. 'Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved by the Meghalaya Police in the Raja murder case… 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant… well done," he posted on X. Sources say Sonam and Raj knew each other before she got married to Raja. Sources also add that it was Sonam who booked tickets for their honeymoon. Authorities are now expanding their operation to Madhya Pradesh to arrest Khushwaha. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by a Superintendent of Police and supported by four Deputy Superintendents, is spearheading the ongoing probe.
NDTV
35 minutes ago
- NDTV
Honeymoon Murder Live Updates: Wife Surrenders After Husband's Murder, Indore Couple Had Gone Missing in Meghalaya
Honeymoon Murder Live Updates: Sonam Raghuvanshi, wife of the Indore man, Raja Raghuvanshi, who was found dead in Meghalaya during their honeymoon, has surrendered to the Police in Uttar Pradesh, in connection to the murder of her husband. Sonam had reportedly gone missing after her husband's body was discovered in a gorge beneath the Weisawdong Falls parking lot in East Khasi Hills on June 2. After days of search, Sonam was located and taken into custody from Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh. She surrendered at the Nandganj police station late Sunday night. Here are the Live Updates on Honeymoon Murder: "Meghalaya Police Is Lying": Sonam's Father Calls For CBI Inquiry Sonam's family has strongly refuted the murder allegations. Her father, Devi Singh, maintains that his daughter is innocent and has called for an independent inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "My daughter is innocent. I have trust in my daughter. She cannot do this (kill her husband)... They got married with the consent of both families. The state (Meghalaya) government has been lying from the beginning. My daughter came to a dhaba in Ghazipur last night and she called her went to the dhaba, and she was taken from there. I have not been able to speak to my daughter. Why will my daughter do such a thing? The Meghalaya Police is lying. My daughter reached Ghazipur on her own. She was not arrested in Meghalaya. Meghalaya Police is making up stories. Let the CBI inquiry begin, all officers at the police station (in Meghalaya) will be behind bars," he said. Jun 09, 2025 10:01 (IST) Sonam "Surrendered Under Pressure": Police Sonam Raghuvanshi, the woman who is suspected to be involved in the murder of her husband, Indore-based Raja Raghuvanshi, during their honeymoon in Meghalaya, "surrendered under pressure," the police said. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Dalton P Marak, stated, "Sonam surrendered under pressure last night, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to four. One accused remains missing. Sonam will be brought back to Meghalaya for court proceedings." Jun 09, 2025 09:59 (IST) Honeymoon, Murder, Frantic Search, Timeline Of Indore Couple Meghalaya Visit Newly wed Indore couple -- Raja Raghuvanshi and his wife Sonam -- visited some areas during their honeymoon in Meghalaya before they went missing on May 23. While Raja Raghuvanshi's body was found in a gorge on June 2, his wife was arrested this morning for the alleged murder of her husband. The couple married on May 11 and left for their honeymoon on May 20. Here is what happened after that: May 21, 6 pm: Shillong The couple reached Balaji Guest House in Meghalaya's capital Shillong and checked in. May 22, morning: Shillong In the morning, they went out on Keating Road, rented a scooty and returned to Balaji Guest House. They checked out without having breakfast. They told the manager they would return by May 25 and would call if they needed a room. From Shillong, they rode the scooty to the popular tourist hotspot Sohra (Cherrapunji), carrying two luggages. May 22, evening: Mawlakhiat, East Khasi Hills district The couple arrived at Mawlakhiat village in East Khasi Hills, and kept the scooty at a parking spot run by the local community for tourists. They hired a local guide to trek to Shipara Homestay at Nongriat village in the same district. May 23, morning: Mawlakhiat, East Khasi Hills district The couple checked out from Shipara Homestay and returned to Mawlakhiat village without the guide. The same day, they set out from Mawlakhiat and went missing thereafter. A search began in the surrounding areas. May 24: Sohrarim The headman of Sohrarim village in East Khasi Hills reported to the police that they found an abandoned scooty at their village. May 25: Sohrarim The police traced the scooty owner, who came to Sohra police station and confirmed that a couple from Madhya Pradesh's Indore - Raja Raghuvanshi, 27, and Sonam, 25 - rented the two-wheeler. May 26: Sohrarim A search began in this area too. June 2: Wei Sawdong Falls A police drone spotted a body in a gorge below Wei Sawdong Falls. The semi-decomposed body was retrieved and identified as that of Raja Raghuvanshi by his family. June 4: Raincoat Found Meghalaya Police found a raincoat with stains. The police said they are checking if the raincoat matches the one worn by Sonam in available video footage. "Well Done Meghalaya Police": Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Congratulated For A Breakthrough Within 7 days a major breakthrough has been achieved by the #meghalayapolice in the Raja murder case … 3 assailants who are from Madhya Pradesh have been arrested, female has surrendered and operation still on to catch 1 more assailant .. well done #meghalayapolice — Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 9, 2025 Jun 09, 2025 09:40 (IST) Share Indore Couple Goes Missing In Meghalyaa, Wife Surrenders After Husband's Killing The 'missing' wife of Indore man - Raja Raghuvanshi, who was found dead in Meghalaya during their honeymoon, has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of her husband, officials said on Monday. According to the police, the wife, Sonam, allegedly orchestrated the murder by hiring contract killers. Officials said they found Sonam in an unconscious state on Saturday night at a 'dhaba' in Ghazipur. She was taken to the Ghazipur Medical College for treatment, where she surrendered before the police, and was subsequently arrested. Meghalaya Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang said that they arrested three other accused in overnight raids. While one person was found in Uttar Pradesh, the other two were arrested from Indore. The accused have told the police that they were hired by Sonam to kill her husband.
