Ahmedabad:

Congress backed PAAS leader Hardik Patel, who is on fast at his residence here, could not appear in a local court here in connection with the sedition case lodged against him and others by the crime branch of Ahmedabad police for state wide violence after his August 2015 rally here.

Meanwhile, the doctors attending him have again warned him of rising acetone level in his blood serum.

The lady doctor from Sola civil hospital who led the team that conducted the routine tests of the PAAS leader on the sixth day of his fast today, said that rising acetone level in his blood serum might affect his kidneys, breathing and heart functioning.

To a query about Hardik’s ultimatum about giving up water from today, She said that it could be very dangerous for his health.

On the other hand the charge frame process in the sedition case could not take place against Hardik and others today. Hardik’s advocate said that the court accepted his prayer for time in the wake of the ongoing fast of his client and fixed September 14 as the next date of hearing in the matter. Hardik has been asked to remain present in the court on September 14.

Among visitors who paid visit to Hardik’s residence where he is sitting on fast were Hardik’s grandfather, AAP MLA, city Congress leaders including MLA Imran Khedawala, Badruddin Sheikh and Pankaj Shah.

Gujarat High Court Judge refuses to hear plea regarding police bandobast outside Hardik’s residence

Justice R P Dholaria of Gujarat High Court today recused himself from hearing a petition by Patidar Anamat Aandolan Samiti (PAAS) in which it has been alleged that the police were creating hurdles for Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel’s indefinite fast by restricting his supporters to meet him at his residence here.

Notably, Justice Dholaria a senior judge and coincidentally a Patidar himself (the caste to which Hardik belongs to and around which his agitation has been built up) and native of Khamba taluka in Patidar dominant Amreli district of Saurashtra region in Gujarat, has also in the recent past refused to hear another matter involving the PAAS leader in similar manner. It was Hardik’s discharge petition in a sedition case.

Today also when the petition filed by PAAS convener Dilip P Vadodariya, came before him for hearing, he said ‘not before me’. Interestingly the advocate in the matter Babu Mangukiya, is also a Patidar who had represented Hardik in some cases in the past.

Now the Chief Justice would allocate the matter to any other judge.

The petition has sought direction to the police officers that no person shall be restrained from paying courtesy visits to Hardik, who instead of any public place was sitting on fast at his residence in Greenwood Society off SG highway. It has been alleged that police were also not allowing supplies of water, milk and other essential commodities to his residence and threatening the suppliers.

Notably. today is the sixth day of Hardik’s fast. Doctors have advised immediate hospitalisation and liquid intake. He is on the fast since August 25 demanding farmer’s loan waiver and reservation to Patidar community.

DesbGujarat