Ahmedabad, 6 September 2012

The Supreme Court has reserved its order on former Gujarat minister Amit Shah’s plea to enter Gujarat on bail.

-Amit Shah is on bail in Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case. He is directed to stay out of Gujarat by the Supreme Court.

-In view of Gujarat assembly polls scheduled to take place by the end of this year, Shah who is MLA from Sarkhej seat wants permission to enter Gujarat.

-The Supreme Court today asked Shah’s lawyer, how Shah assures that he would not interfere in Sohrabuddin case and if allowed to enter Gujarat, his role will be limited to political activities.

-Shah’s lawyer replied that Shah would file an affidavit assuring that his role will be limited to political activities and he will abide by the Supreme Court directions.

-The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict in this case.

-Amit Shah was granted bail by Gujarat High Cort on 29 October, 2010. CBI approached the Supreme Court to cancel his bail on the ground that he could temper with the evidence. Supreme Court asked Shah to stay away from Gujarat. CBI petition challenging Shah’s bail is pending.

Addition from PTI report

-The bench, which reserved its order on the CBI’s plea to cancel Shah’s bail and that of former minister to allow him to enter the state in view of the upcoming Assembly election, was told by his counsel Ram Jethmalani that his conduct in the past months should be taken into account for grant of the relief.

-The bench turned down the CBI’s suggestion that Shah should be directed to stay outside Gujarat if his bail is allowed to be continued.

“That is not accepted. Can you suggest any other condition?,” the bench asked CBI counsel Vivek Tankha.

-Senior advocate Gopal Subramanian, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae in the case, suggested that the former Gujarat minister should be directed that he should not influence the trial directly or indirectly.