Five minutes ago I was a minister, five minutes later I was in jail: Here's why Amit Shah said this

New Delhi: In a rare turn of fate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reflected on his journey from being a minister to a prisoner in a mere five minutes. Recounting this pivotal moment, Shah highlighted the challenges he faced when the Congress, during its rule, orchestrated a case against him through the CBI, leading to his imprisonment. This episode, although testing, showcased Shah's resilience and the intricate dynamics of Indian politics.

What hapened?

Shah, without explicitly naming the Sohrabuddin Shaikh encounter case, revealed how the Congress strategically employed the CBI to file a case against him. This move swiftly transformed him from a minister to a prisoner. The astuteness of this political maneuver became evident as Shah found himself grappling with legal battles that would shape his political trajectory.

Amit Shah's testimony

Speaking at a public address in Junagadh, Gujarat, Shah acknowledged the difficulty of those times. He emphasized the uniqueness of his situation, having shifted from overseeing the jail as a minister to becoming an inmate within minutes. Despite the challenges, Shah expressed gratitude for what he termed as unparalleled fortune in navigating those turbulent waters.

Amit Shah credited the former Congress party general secretary, Nirupam Nanavati, for playing a pivotal role in his legal defense. Nanavati, a distinguished lawyer, took up Shah's case and successfully navigated it through the complexities of the legal system. This unexpected alliance underscored the intricate interplay between legal expertise and political backgrounds in shaping legal battles.

Amit Shah's imprisonment

Recounting the aftermath of his arrest, Shah detailed how Nirupam Nanavati, despite his Congress affiliation, emerged as a staunch advocate for justice. Shah explained that after his arrest, discussions among lawyer friends led to Nirupam's name surfacing as a potential legal representative. Despite initial skepticism due to his Congress background, Nanavati not only accepted the case but went on to secure a victory in the Supreme Court.

Shah hailed the professionalism displayed by Nirupam Nanavati, citing it as an exemplary instance. The former general secretary of Congress, driven by a commitment to justice, fought Shah's case despite their political differences. This collaboration demonstrated the triumph of professionalism over political affiliations, contributing to Shah's ultimate acquittal.

What was Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter?

Amit Shah's arrest in July 2010 was linked to the alleged fake encounter case of 'gangster' Sohrabuddin Sheikh. Charged with murder, Shah resigned as the Minister of State for Home in the Gujarat government just days before his arrest. The legal battle that ensued was complex, but Shah's eventual acquittal in December 2014 highlighted the lack of evidence against him.

Who was Nirupam Nanavati?

Nirupam Nanavati, the legal luminary behind Shah's defense, boasts a political background deeply rooted in Gujarat. As the son of Divya Kant Nanavati, a former Gujarat Law Minister, Nirupam's association with the Congress did not deter him from championing justice in a case where he believed Shah had been wrongly implicated.

Amit Shah's journey from a minister to a prisoner and back sheds light on the intricate dynamics of Indian politics and its legal landscape. The collaboration between individuals with diverse political affiliations for a common cause underscores the importance of professionalism and commitment to justice.