Bhatt demands security against 'Modi supporters, Hindu fanatics'

Suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, who deposed against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the post Godhra riots, on Sunday made fresh demands for a bullet-proof car and the appointment of a nodal officer to look after his security, citing 'ever increasing' threat to his life.

"In the wake of the ever increasing threat to me and my family from (Narendra) Modi supporters and Hindu fanatics, I request you to designate a nodal officer for my security arrangements while travelling outside Ahmedabad," he said in a letter to the state home ministry.

Bhatt has deposed against the Gujarat chief minister and his accomplices before various forums, including the Special Investigation Team probing the 2002 Godhra riots in Gujarat.

The letter demanding enhanced security cover has been written in the backdrop of the murder of one of the important witnesses of the Naroda Patiya massacre of 2002 -- RTI activist Nadeem Saiyed -- in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

"In the coming days, my wife Shweta Bhatt and I will be required to frequently travel outside Ahmedabad in connection with cases and important issues," Bhatt said.

"Despite threat assessment reports and recommendations of the agencies, I have been provided one PSO for my protection and one armed sentry at my residence," he said.

"The existing arrangements for my security and my family are neither adequate nor foolproof. I request you to provide me a bullet-proof car and an escort vehicle without any further delay," he said.

Bhatt had on Sunday written to the Special Investigation Team probing the 2002 Godhra riots case, demanding fool-proof security cover for himself and his family.

This is the fourteenth letter written by Bhatt to various authorities to demand enhanced security for himself and his family.