A special court in Ahmedabad under the GCTOC (Gujarat Control of Terrorism and Organised Crime Act 2015) law sentenced Irfan Shaikh, a sharpshooter, who was arrested in 2020 by the Gujarat ATS (Anti-Terrorism Squad) for conspiring to murder a political leader in Gujarat, to 5 years of imprisonment. 

Special Judge and Ahmedabad District Judge K M Sojitra acquitted another accused, Sindhesh Kharade, due to lack of evidence. The case is being considered highly significant, as it involves an attempt to assassinate a political leader, and the court emphasised that the accused should be punished strictly under the law.

In 2020, under the instructions of gangster Chhota Shakeel, a plan was devised to murder BJP leader Gordhan Zadafia. However, Gujarat ATS successfully intercepted the plan and arrested two of the accused. 

As per the case details, on August 19, 2020, the Gujarat ATS arrested Sheikh at the Venus Hotel on Relief Road in Ahmedabad. During the arrest, the police found a photo of Zadafia on Shaikh’s WhatsApp, along with instructions sent from a Dutch number. 

During the investigation, it was revealed that Shaikh was in possession of an illegal silver-coloured pistol and three live cartridges. The case was heard under the GCTOC law.

The prosecution presented evidence in the special court, including 24 witnesses along with evidence, and argued that the case was severe, as the accused had come to Gujarat to kill a political leader. 

The court accepted the prosecution’s argument and sentenced Shaikh to five years in prison.

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