Supreme Court Dismisses Sanjeev Bhatt's Special Leave Petition

Liberty Granted to Reapply After Serving Half Sentence or Seek Early Hearing

In a significant ruling dated December 11, 2025, the Supreme Court of India dismissed the special leave petition filed by former IPS officer Sanjeevkumar Rajendrabhai Bhatt against the order passed by the High Court of Gujarat. The bench, comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi, declined to interfere with the High Court's decision and dismissed the petition. The apex court, however, provided Bhatt the option to either seek an early hearing or reapply after serving half of his sentence.

The judgment marks a notable moment in Bhatt’s legal battle, as it underscores the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the High Court's ruling without further examination at this stage. The court's decision was reached after considering arguments from senior advocates, including Mr. Kapil Sibal and Mr. Nitya Ramkrishna, representing Bhatt, and Mr. Atmaram Nadkarni and Mr. Maninder Singh, representing the State of Gujarat.

While dismissing the petition, the Supreme Court opened a window for future legal recourse for Bhatt. The court explicitly stated that Bhatt could reapply for relief after serving half of his sentence, or he could seek an expedited hearing, indicating a recognition of potential merit in revisiting the case under specified circumstances.

Bhatt, who has been embroiled in various legal challenges, had approached the Supreme Court seeking relief from a sentence upheld by the Gujarat High Court. This dismissal, while a setback, allows for potential future legal strategies depending on his sentence tenure.

The order also clarified that any pending applications related to the case stand disposed of, streamlining Bhatt's current legal standing.

This ruling is expected to impact Bhatt's immediate legal strategies and might lead to adjustments in his approach towards seeking relief. Legal analysts suggest that the option to reapply after serving half of the sentence could be a strategic opportunity for Bhatt to reassess and potentially mitigate his legal challenges.

Bottom Line:

Special Leave Petition dismissed by the Supreme Court with liberty to petitioner to apply for early hearing or to apply afresh after serving half of the sentence.

Statutory provision(s): Special Leave Petition.

Sanjeevkumar Rajendrabhai Bhatt (IPS) v. State of Gujarat, (SC) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2821070