Visnagar court refuses bail to Hardik Patel in rioting case

AHMEDABAD: The sessions court in Mehsana district today rejected OBC quota agitation leader Hardik Patel's bail plea in a case of rioting and assault registered against him last year.

Additional sessions judge K M Dave upheld government's argument that Hardik may not cooperate with the investigation if released on bail and may tamper with the evidence.

The prosecution contended that Hardik was facing separate sedition cases at Ahmedabad and Surat too, and he may try to influence the witnesses if released.

Visnagar police took Hardik's custody on January 11 from Lajpore jail in Surat. Hardik was lodged in Lajpore jail for the last four months.

He is one of the accused in an FIR registered at Visnagar on July 23 when a rally of the Patel community seeking reservation turned violent, resulting in damage to property and assault on some media persons.

Police registered a case of rioting, damaging property and assault against Hardik and 15 other leaders who were present during the rally.

Elsewhere, Ahmedabad sessions court has adjourned the hearing on Hardik's bail plea in the sedition case there till February 20, as the police were yet to file their reply.

The Surat sessions court too adjourned the hearing of his bail plea till February 20 as his lawyers sought time to study the affidavit filed by Surat police opposing the application.