WA Police charge Maddington man over alleged plot to kill his ex-father-in-law following shooting in India

A West Australian man has been arrested after police uncovered his alleged plan to kill his ex-father-in-law, who was shot in the head in India. Indian authorities had been investigating after a 65-year-old man was attacked with a machete before being shot in the back of the head in Kahlon village in Punjab, India, on February 2, 2023. He survived the shooting after the firearm misfired but was treated for a fractured occipital bone and a serious brain injury. Punjab police arrested and charged three men with offences relating to the attack. During their investigations, officers learnt of the alleged involvement of a fourth person – Shiv Sheetal, 42, from Maddington, about 20km southwest of the Perth CBD. Indian authorities alleged the WA resident had been actively seeking people to commit the murder of his ex-father-in-law, the 65-year-old man. WA Police confirmed they would not be seeking extradition over the matter. Nearly two weeks after the shooting, the 65-year-old man relocated to WA to be with his family as he recovered. Upon his arrival into Australia, WA Police launched an investigation into the attempted murder. Officers later arrested Mr Sheetal for allegedly breaching a family violence restraining order taken out by his ex-wife on June 1, 2024. Police will allege that during this time, the 65-year-old man started receiving further death threats. Mr Sheetal was arrested and charged with one count of attempted unlawfully to kill. He appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear in the WA Supreme Court on July 24.