Amit Shah taken to hospital, misses court hearing

GANDHINAGAR - Former Gujarat junior home minister Amit Shah, an accused in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh staged shootout, fell ill Wednesday and was briefly admitted to hospital ahead of his appearance in an Ahmedabad court through video conferencing.

The former minister, lodged in a jail here, was taken to a government civil hospital due to high blood pressure and an eye infection.

He, however, returned to jail in the evening after being treated, said jail officials.

Shah was to be presented in the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court here through video conferencing Wednesday on completion of his judicial custody period.

The CBI informed special court judge A.Y. Dave that as Shah has been admitted to the civil hospital and he could not be presented before the court.

Dave extended his judicial custody till Sep 29.

This is the second time Shah was brought to hospital. Earlier, on Aug 31 he was admitted and kept in the same hospital for a week after he complained of chest pain.

He has been exempted from personal appearance in court on security grounds and permitted to appear through video conferencing from jail.

Shah was arrested by the CBI July 25 in connection with the staged shootout case and faces charges of murder, distorting evidence and extortion, among others.

Sohrabuddin Sheikh was killed Nov 26, 2005 by Gujarat Police near Ahmedabad in a staged shootout.