"Sanjiv Bhatt canvassing for wife against law"

Shweta Bhatt and suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt (R), after filing of her nomination papers as a Congress candidate from Maninagar Assembly seat, in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Uttar Pradesh based social activist Nutan Thakur on Saturday alleged that suspended IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt's "canvassing for and assistance to" his wife Shweta for the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, violated administrative and electoral laws.

Shweta Bhatt has been put up by the Congress to contest the election for the Maninagar seat against Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

In a letter written to the Election Commission of India, Government of India, and Chief Secretary, Gujarat, Dr. Thakur said, "the acts of the Bhatts prima facie seem to be clear cut violation of Section 123 (7) (a) and 123 (7) (d) of the Representation of People Act, 1951."

" Under these laws, a gazetted officer or a police officer making any assistance (other than giving vote) for the furtherance of the prospects of the candidate's election are defined under "corrupt practices"."

"Sanjeev accompanied his wife all through the nomination and has been seen openly canvassing for her. A distinction must be maintained between the conduct of officers and politicians," Dr Thakur told The Hindu, adding that Section 129 (2) of the same Act declared assistance by a police officer punishable upto six months imprisonment.

Dr. Nutan also cited that rule 5 of the Indian Administrative Services (Conduct) Rules, 1986 says that no IAS or IPS shall aid or assist in any other manner in any political activity or shall canvass in an election.