Hardik Patel gets reprieve from High Court, may get bail soon

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court has quashed charges of ‘waging war’ that the state government had framed against Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti chief Hardik Patel. The court also struck down charges of ‘promoting enmity’ between different groups and ‘indulging in acts prejudicial for maintenance of harmony and national integration’ framed against him.

Following the court order, Patel is likely to be released on bail shortly, after spending more than a month behind bars.

The high court retained charges of “conspiracy to overawe by means of criminal force or the show of criminal force the central or any state government” and sedition charges under IPC 124A. Patel’s lawyer and Congress leader Babubhai Mangukia told ET that the process to obtain bail has become easier. “We have already filed pleas for his bail in the lower courts and hope to see him out soon.”

Patel has been behind the bars since October 18, when he was detained by the Rajkot Police after he threatened to disrupt the India-South Africa cricket match in Rajkot. Subsequently he was handed over to Surat police, who booked him under sedition charges. His detention during the local body election is believed to have added to the anger of the Patidar community against the BJP government.

The community of landed peasantry has been on a war path in the state, demanding reservations in government jobs and education.