Ahmedabad sedition case: Hardik’s bail plea rejected by local court

Ahmedabad

A local court today rejected the regular bail plea of jailed Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel in connection with the sedition case lodged by the Crime Branch of Ahmedabad police.

Hardik’s Counsel Rafiq Lokhandwala, however said that he would now move to the High Court for bail by the end of this week.

The court of additional sessions judged N G Dave which has reserved its order on the bail application on March 4 today rejected it.

On March 4 the crime branch in its submission through affidavit had vehemently opposed the bail of the Patidar Anamat Aandolan Samiti (PAAS) leader claiming that his anti establishment activities to overthrow the government were on even in the judicial custody (jail) and if granted bail he can tamper with the important evidences.

The case was filed by Mr Patel on October 21 last year against Hardik and five of his aides under IPC sections 124(A) (sedition), 121 (A) (conspiracy to wage war against the government) and 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy) for their role in the violent stir which in all had claimed the lives of 11 people including a police constable and cause damage to the property worth over Rs 44 crore. The charge-sheet in the case was filed on January 18. Hardik had moved the court for bail on January 22.

Mr. Lokhandwala said that he was yet to see the detailed order but from what he has learnt the court has rejected the bail accepting the crime branch contention that if granted bail he might start such activities and tamper with the evidence.

The affidavit filed by Crime Branch inspector J S Gedam had opposed the bail saying the PAAS leader has in the past tried to overthrow the duly elected government and was even now trying to do so despite being in jail under judicial custody. It also said that the investigation in the case was still on and there are chances of more evidences coming to fore but if granted bail Hardik might tamper with the important evidences.

Hardik, who is accused in yet another case of sedition for his instigating suggestion to a supporter to kill policemen rather than committing suicide, is lodged in Lajpore central jail since October last year. Three other accused in the case Dinesh Patel, Ketan Patel and Chirag Patel are in Sabarmati Jail.

Crime Branch ACP K N Patel who filed the case, said the bail plea of the three other accused will be moved tomorrow in a local court. The remaining two Amrish Patel and Alpesh Kathiria have been declared absconder.

Hardik bail plea in Surat’s sedition case is likely to come up for hearing on March 11.

Hardik’s counsel Mr. Lokhandwala on March 4 had argued that his client in a sedition case that his case is on better footing than other 3 accused.

– DeshGujarat