Former Gujarat junior home minister Amit Shah, an accused in the 2005 Sohrabuddin Sheikh staged shootout, fell ill Monday and was admitted to hospital ahead of his scheduled 29 October appearance in an Ahmedabad court through video conferencing.

The former minister, lodged in a jail here, was taken to a government civil hospital. BJP leader Bhupendrasinh Chudasama came to Civil hospital to meet Shah. Number of Shah’s supporters in his Sarkhej constituency area are denied party ticket in civic poll. Tomorrow is last day of withdrawal of nominations. In view of this backdrop, it is believed that Shah’s hospitalization is politically important.

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

This is the third time Shah was brought to hospital. Earlier, on Aug 31 and September 15 he was admitted and kept in the same hospital after he complained of chest pain and eye infection.

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.