A former top Indian policeman critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged role in deadly anti-Muslim riots in 2002 has been jailed for life.<\/p>\n
Sanjiv Bhatt was convicted of murder in a case dating back 30 years.<\/p>\n
He alleged that Mr Modi, chief minister at the time of the violence in Gujarat, told officials Hindus should be allowed to vent their anger against Muslims.<\/p>\n
More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the violence. Mr Modi has always denied any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n
The murder conviction against Sanjiv Bhatt is in connection with a case in 1989, when he arrested more than 150 people during rioting. One of them later died in hospital after being released.<\/p>\n
The man’s family alleged that he died after being tortured by Bhatt and several other police officers.<\/p>\n
Bhatt’s conviction and sentencing were imposed by a sessions court in Gujarat state. He can appeal against the sentence.<\/p>\n
He and his family have previously alleged that he was targeted by the government because of his allegations against Mr Modi.<\/p>\n
The state authorities accuse him of fabricating evidence to implicate Mr Modi, who became PM in 2014.<\/p>\n
Riots erupted in Gujarat after 60 Hindu pilgrims died in a train fire. They were some of the deadliest the country has seen since independence in 1947.<\/p>\n
The cause of the train blaze was never clearly established. Hindu groups allege the fire was started by Muslim protesters, but an earlier inquiry said the fire was an accident.<\/p>\n
Sanjiv Bhatt was a senior police officer in the Gujarat intelligence bureau at the time of the violence.<\/p>\n
He says his position allowed him to come across large amounts of information and intelligence both before and during the violence, including the actions of senior administrative officials.<\/p>\n
He was sacked in 2015 after being suspended in 2011.<\/p>\n
In 2011, the Supreme Court cleared Mr Modi of involvement in the riots.<\/p>\n
Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"