  Magnetization and heat capacity measurements of ternary rare earth
intermetallic compound GdNiAl3 demonstrate para to ferromagnetic transition at
Tc=165.5K. In addition multiple short range magnetic transitions observed below
Tc are suggestive of competing interactions in this compound. As a result of
this a weak Griffiths phase type behaviour is observed in the paramagnetic
region. This complex behaviour is rather supported by the random orientation of
Ni centered tricapped trigonal prisms with additional Al atoms in the
structure. Heat capacity and resistivity data display an interesting peak at 72
K, which is highly unaffected by magnetic fields up to 90KOe.
