Gandhinagar

Gujarat government spokesperson and senior minister Shri Nitin Patel today said that Gujarat govt will withdraw 74 cases filed in connection with Patidar agitation will be withdrawn. He said the decision has been taken yesterday by the Chief Minister. He added that 382 accused will be benefited through this decision across 18 districts.

Nitinbhai said that only 14 persons are in prison at present in connection with Patidar agitation. Total 1750 persons were arrested in connection with this agitation, of them all barring just 14 had been given bail. Congress and others are spreading misinformation that hundreds of Patidar community accused are in jail and thousands are arrested, but that’s not true. Only 14 are in prisons for serious charges. They have filed petitions for their release, but have not granted bail by courts.

Nitinbhai said that the government will take decision in phased wise manner for other police cases filed. He said, while lighter cases are withdrawn fist in this phase, the other cases will be reviewed in case-to-case manner to look into possibility of withdrawal.

It should be mentioned that the Chief Minister had called a meeting of prominent Patidar community leaders including Padma award winner Mathurbhai Savani and tallest Kadva Patidar leader and BJP MLA from Unjha Shri Naran Lallu Patel who are not part of the ongoing Patidar agitation. They voiced their opinion against police highhandedness and cases against Patidar agitators. The government on its part while refused to give any relief to core group of agitators who are in prison as their bail please are rejected, on the other hand showed flexibility to withdraw selected cases against other accused.

Statement

FIRs were arrested for 457 offenses across 18 districts of Gujarat. In first phase cases are to be withrawn against 382 accused involved in 74 offences. Chief Minister has issued orders in this regard to department of Home for necessary procedures. The Chief Minister has also instructed the Home Ministry to hold case-to-case review in other cases also and take decisions liberally. Police had detained total 1750 persons during entire agitation period across 18 districts in 457 offences. of them 1736 were granted bail while 14 are in custody for serious charges. They are not granted bail by various courts.

– DeshGujarat