HC notice to Gujarat govt, Crime Branch in Hardik case

Ahmedabad, Oct 29: The Gujarat High Court today issued notice to the State government and city Crime Branch in connection with a plea challenging the case of sedition against Patel quota leader Hardik Patel.

Justice J B Pardiwala today issued notices to Gujarat Government and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) K N Patel of city Crime Branch while considering the plea seeking quashing of petitions filed by Hardik and his associates Alpesh Kathiria and Amul Patel.

The high court also instructed the state authorities not to take coercive action against Alpesh and Amul till further hearing. The case will now come up on November 2. The city Crime Branch on October 21 charged Hardik and other members of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) Chirag, Dinesh, Ketan, Alpesh and Amrish Patel in the case of sedition and waging war against the State government.

However, PAAS leader Amul Patel, whose name was not mentioned in the FIR as an accused but in the transcript of phone interception, has also challenged the Crime Branch's action, apprehending his arrest. The six people have been booked under IPC Sections 121 (waging war against the government), 124 (sedition), 153-A (promoting enmity between different communities) and 153-B (assertions prejudicial to national integrity).

The city Crime Branch in its FIR against Hardik and five others, said the young leader had allegedly instigated his community to adopt violent means to wage "war against Gujarat government". The probe agency had also put transcripts of various telephonic conversations and speeches of PAAS members and Hardik, wherein they had allegedly instigated the agitators of Patel community to wage war against the government.

The complaint was lodged against PAAS leaders for allegedly inciting violence on August 25-26 that erupted in several districts after Hardik's massive rally held here on August 25.

This is the second case of sedition against Hardik. The first case was filed by Surat Police for allegedly advising a Patel youth "to kill policemen rather than commit suicide". The 22-year-old firebrand leader and his three aides are currently in the custody of city Crime Branch in connection with the second sedition case.

PTI