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Updated January 18th, 2020 at 22:38 IST

Hardik Patel arrested; Ahmedabad Police nabs Congress neta for failing to appear for trial

Congress leader from Gujarat Hardik Patel was arrested by the Ahmedabad police from Viramgaam on Saturday after he failed to appear before a trial court

Reported by: Rishabh Mishra
Hardik Patel
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Congress leader from Gujarat Hardik Patel was arrested by the Ahmedabad police from Viramgaam on Saturday after he failed to appear before the trial court in connection with his 2015 sedition case. Patel was granted bail in July 2016; however, the court had framed charges against him and other accused again in November 2018.  

While Patel’s lawyer moved an exemption application for him, the Additional Sessions Judge BG Ganatra, unimpressed, issued an arrest warrant for him. This came as the public prosecutor had moved a plea against Patel’s exemption notice. The prosecution told the court the accused intended to delay the trial by seeking regular exemption from appearance.  

Read: Hardik Patel moves Supreme Court against Gujarat HC order refusing to stay conviction in 2015 rioting case

Patel's arrest was confirmed by DCP Rajdeep Singh Zala (cybercrime cell). "We have arrested Hardik Patel from near Viramgam after the court issued a non-bailable warrant against him. We will produce him before the court tomorrow," Zala said. Patel had been previously arrested in connection with a sedition case filed by the local Crime Branch after violence broke out during a rally by the Patidar community in Ahmedabad on August 25, 2015. 

Read: Setback for Congress: Hardik Patel's election candidature in peril after Gujarat HC refuses to stay conviction order

Sedition case against Patel 

In 2015, Hardik and his aides who were part of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), were allegedly involved in inciting the Patel community youths to resort to violence as part of their conspiracy to put undue pressure on the government to accept their demand of reservation to their community under the OBC category.  

Read: NSUI issued show-cause notice over Hardik Patel's presence at its event

Inflammatory messages and rumours on part of the accused resulted in large-scale riots across Gujarat, which forced the police to impose curfew in several parts, as people resorted to stone-pelting, arson and damaging public property for almost four days, the charge sheet alleged.  

Fourteen people were killed in the rioting and arson in the violence. In the charge sheet, police had also attached call detail records, call interception transcripts, CDs containing video and audio clips, forensic reports of mobile phones of Patel leaders, Hardik's speech at GMDC ground on August 25 in 2015 etc and statement of 502 witnesses. 

 

Read: Hardik Patel mocks Gujarat CM Rupani over liquor prohibition spat

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Published January 18th, 2020 at 22:38 IST

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