Complaint filed against Sanjeev Bhatt

A complaint was filed on Saturday with the Election Commission, accusing Gujarat cadre Indian Police Services (IPS) officer Sanjeev Bhatt for violating service rules by accompanying his wife as she went to file her nomination for the forthcoming Assembly polls. 

In her complaint to the ECI, social activist Nutan Thakur alleged that the act also amounted to “corrupt” election practices. “This act of the officer, seeking votes is not only unbecoming of an official but also violated section 123 (7)(a) and 123(7)(d) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 making any assistance  by a gazetted officer and a police officer for the furtherance of the prospects of that candidate’s election ‘corrupt practices’,” she said.

Thakur said that section 129 (2) of this Act declares assistance by a police officer an electoral offence punishable up to six months imprisonment. 

She also said rule 5 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules 1968 clearly spells out that no IAS or IPS officer shall aid or assist in any other manner in any political activity or shall canvass in an election.

Thakur said that the acts of Bhatt’s prima-facie seems to be a clear-cut violation of these laws and hence the Election Commission and home ministry must take all appropriate legal action, including registration of an FIR, administrative action etc for their criminal, electoral and administrative misconduct. She also said that if appropriate action is not taken, it will lead to huge indiscipline in services and will adversely affect the reputation of these organisations.