Sanjiv Bhatt case: Cops quiz lawyer; seize computer, Sim card

A police team led by assistant commissioner of police, NC Patel, went to the office of the lawyer, VH Kanara, on Thursday and questioned him for around 2 hours. The police also seized the lawyer's Sim card, phone and a computer in connection with the case filed by police constable KD Panth against IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt. Bhatt was arrested on the basis of Panth's complaint and is currently in judicial custody.

Panth has accused Bhatt of forcing him to file a false affidavit. Sources in the police said that the Kanara's computer was seized because it was allegedly used to prepare the affidavit which Panth now says he had filed under duress.

In his FIR, Panth had alleged that he was taken to Kanara's office after midnight on June 16, 2011, where he was allegedly forced to sign the affidavit.

NC Patel is the investigating officer of the Sanjiv Bhatt case. When contacted, Patel said he cannot reveal anything in this connection. He also refused to say anything about Kanara's statement or about the materials seized from him.

Talking to DNA, Ahmedabad police commissioner Sudhir Sinha said that Kanara's statement had been recorded. He, however, added that he was not aware of anything being seized from his office.

Sources said that the police were trying to strengthen the case against Bhatt by recoding the statement of the advocate and also getting details from the computer which allegedly was used to prepare Panth's affidavit.