Jailed cop in Vadodara custodial death case granted bail to arrange rifle, shooting kit for son’s contest

Police Inspector D B Gohil, convicted in the Vadodara custodial death case of 65-year-old migrant Shaikh Babu Nisar, has been granted temporary bail to procure shooting equipment for his son's state-level competition. The Gujarat High Court allowed Gohil to be released for seven days from November 14 to 20, 2026, to facilitate his minor son's participation in a rifle shooting contest in Jamnagar.

Gohil's counsel argued that his presence was necessary to arrange a shooting kit, rent a rifle, and secure a school certificate for the competition. The court granted bail considering Gohil's genuine requirement to make these arrangements. Gohil has been previously granted temporary bail twice in four months, most recently on July 10, when he was allowed to leave jail for three days pending his examination at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University.

The original case against Gohil stems from the alleged custodial death of Nisar, who disappeared after being picked up by Fatehgunj police in December 2019 on suspicion of theft. The case gained attention after Nisar's son filed a habeas corpus petition, leading to an FIR in July 2020 accusing Gohil and other police personnel of murder and destruction of evidence.

Despite searches, Nisar's body has not been found. The Gujarat CID filed a 900-page chargesheet against eight police officers, including Gohil, in November 2020, with six still in custody.