Aakashi Sanjiv Bhatt Honors Father's 61st Birthday Amidst Prolonged Incarceration
Sanjiv Bhatt, Former IPS Officer, Marks Another Year in Prison with Family's Heartfelt Tribute
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Sanjiv Bhatt celebrates his 61st birthday in jail, marking his sixth year of imprisonment.
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Aakashi Bhatt shares a poignant message on social media, highlighting family's resilience and hope.
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Bhatt acquitted in a 1997 custodial torture case, but remains imprisoned due to other ongoing legal battles.
Today, Aakashi Sanjiv Bhatt, daughter of former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Sanjiv Bhatt, penned a heartfelt tribute to her father on his 61st birthday, which he is spending behind bars. Sanjiv Bhatt, known for his outspoken critique of governmental misconduct, has been imprisoned for over six years, a period marked by what his family describes as unjust persecution for his commitment to truth and justice.
In a moving post, Aakashi detailed the contrast between past birthday celebrations filled with joy and laughter to the current reality of silence and absence in their home. She recounted how birthdays were once a celebration of family unity, now overshadowed by the void left by her father's incarceration. "For the past six years, our home and hearts have been filled with a deafening silence," she wrote, capturing the emotional toll on the family.
This is Aakashi Sanjiv Bhatt,
— Sanjiv Bhatt (IPS) (@sanjivbhatt) December 21, 2024
Today marks our father, Mr. Sanjiv Bhatt’s 61st birthday—his sixth spent behind bars, away from us. For over six years, he has been unjustly incarcerated, targeted for his unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and the ideals he holds sacred.… pic.twitter.com/KdYn0ldisY
A glimmer of hope emerged on December 7, 2024, when a sessions court acquitted Sanjiv Bhatt in a 1997 custodial torture case, acknowledging the lack of substantial evidence against him. This acquittal was seen by Aakashi as a "small but significant victory," a momentary vindication in the long battle against what she terms a "vindictive regime." However, this relief is tempered by the knowledge that her father remains imprisoned due to other unresolved legal entanglements, including a life sentence in a 1990 custodial death case and a 20-year sentence from a 1996 drug framing case.
Aakashi's message also serves as a testament to her father's resilience and the family's unwavering fight for justice. She praised his courage, describing him as their "hero" and a symbol of unyielding determination in the face of adversity. "Your strength, courage, and unwavering sense of justice are the very foundation of everything Shan and I believe in," she wrote, expressing the profound influence he has on his children's values and actions.
Despite the physical distance, Aakashi emphasized the emotional closeness and the longing for his presence. She concluded her message with a promise of continued struggle until justice is served and her father is free, hoping for a future where they can celebrate together once again.
This tribute not only sheds light on the personal struggles of the Bhatt family but also raises broader questions about the treatment of whistleblowers and the state of judicial independence in India.