Former Gujarat minister approaches high court for bail

GANDHINAGAR - Former Gujarat minister Amit Shah, an accused in the Sohrabuddin Sheikh staged shootout case, Monday filed a bail petition in the state high court.

Shah in his petition also challenged the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court’s recent order, which denied him regular bail.

Special CBI judge G.K. Upadhyay in his order dated Oct 8 refused to grant him bail on grounds that Shah may tamper with evidence, pressurize the witnesses by using political power and that grant of bail would dent the image of the judiciary. Shah in his petition sought from the high court the quashing and setting aside of this order.

Shah, former state minister of state for home, was arrested by the CBI on July 25 in connection with the alleged killing of Sohrabuddin Sheikh in a staged shootout in 2005 and the mysterious death of his wife Kauserbi.

The CBI has termed Shah as the kingpin of the conspiracy and extortion racket. The CBI had contended before the trial court which heard Shah’s bail plea that he is the prime accused in the extortion racket, in which prima facie state government personnel, police officers and other criminals are also involved.

It was also submitted that four witnesses have testified before the CBI that people were being threatened with Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA) detention and even threatened for ransom.

The CBI has booked Shah under sections 201, 302, 365, 368 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. The matter is likely to come up Tuesday for hearing.