Shiv Sheetal: Man accused of transnational plot to kill his father-in-law in India indicates not guilty plea

A Perth man accused of arranging a brutal plot to kill his father-in-law in India has indicated he will fight a charge of attempted murder. Shiv Sheetal, 43, allegedly orchestrated the attack on the 65-year-old man in Kahlon Village, Punjab, on February 2, 2023. The victim was attacked with a machete then shot in the back of the head. But he survived, suffering a fractured occipital bone and a serious brain injury after the gun misfired. Mr Sheetal was arrested in June last year, with WA Police alleging he “was actively seeking persons to commit the murder”. Indian authorities had already charged three men over the attack and advised they would not be seeking Mr Sheetal’s extradition. On Wednesday, he appeared in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court via videolink from the maximum-security Casuarina Prison, wearing prison greens and a heavy beard. After noting the case had been on foot for 62 weeks, Magistrate Acacia Hosking was told Mr Sheetal would plead not guilty. The charge was read out, with the court told the conspiracy allegedly began in mid-November 2022 in Gosnells. But it became apparent Mr Sheetal needed a Punjabi interpreter and the matter was adjourned to October 29. He was remanded in custody. Announcing his arrest, WA Police said the father-in-law relocated to the State almost a fortnight after the attack. “WA Police and the Family Violence Team worked closely with the family to ensure they were supported,” they said.