Drugs case: Bhatt wants approver’s pardon withdrawn

Former Indian Police Service officer Sanjiv Bhatt has asked the Gujarat high court to withdraw the pardon given to his co-accused, retired DySP I B Vyas, in a drug planting case. Bhatt alleges that Vyas made contradictory statements in breach of the law and should be tried. Bhatt, who has been sentenced to life for a custodial death, is facing trial for allegedly planting drugs on a lawyer in 1996. Vyas turned approver and was pardoned, but Bhatt claims he intentionally gave false testimony. The high court has scheduled the next hearing for October 5.