POTA judge, 3 others shifted in Gujarat

The judge was handling several important cases, including the Soharabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

The Gujarat High Court has transferred Additional Sessions and Designated POTA Court Judge Sonia Gokani, who was handling several important cases, including the Soharabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case.

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Gokani has been moved to the post of Registrar (Recruitment) in the High Court, official sources in the court said in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

The court of Gokani had conducted trial of sensitive cases like the 2002 terrorist attack on Akshardham temple and assassination of former Minister of State for Home, Haren Pandya.

The hearings in the Soharabuddin case of November 2005 and the rape and murder of Bijal Joshi on New Year's eve in 2003 were pending before the judge.

The Sabarmati train burning case, in which 59 people were killed at Godhra on February 27, 2002, was also being heard by her till the Supreme Court stayed the hearing in the matter.

The high court has also ordered transfer of three other judges.