Court cancels NBW against Pravin Togadia

The Ahmedabad Metropolitan court on Friday cancelled the non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia in an attempt to murder case that dates back to year 1996.

"I did not get any court summons and it was the basis of cancellation of warrant," Togadia told media persons after coming out of the court. "This is a false political case. I am innocent and being framed."

The Ahmedabad Metropolitan Court had issued NBWs against Togadia and 38 others, including sitting BJP MLA from Daskroi (Ahmedabad), Babu Jamnadas Patel, in an attempt to murder case. The Ahmedabad Metropolitan Court issued NBWs to ensure presence of all the accused in the case before January 30, 2018.

The case pertains to an incident at the political event of the BJP, organised at Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 20, 1996. The then senior BJP leader, Atmaram Patel and those believed to be loyal to Shankarsinh Vaghela were attacked by Kesbhubhai Patel loyalists for revolting against the then Keshubhai government. Atmaram Patel had to flee for his life, virtually half-naked, as his attackers stripped him of his dhoti. This incident had brought the internal rebellion within the BJP out in the public, leading to Vaghela breaking away from the BJP to launch his own local outfit - Rashtriya Janata Party.

Togadia, who arrived at the court amidst slogans by hundreds of his supporters, claimed that he had concrete evidence that some police officials had been "instructed" by people "outside" the Gujarat government, keeping Gujarat chief minister and home minister "in dark" to ensure that summons do not reach him. "I shall reveal their names at appropriate time," he said.

Togadia's supporters had gathered in large numbers carrying several placards, that reads: "Hindu chala jail mein, Sahab tere raj mein" (Hindu is jailed in your rule lord) and shouting slogans "Jai Sri Ram" throughout the court hearing.

Togadia claimed that he is present in state four to five times a month and despite court issuing five summons, none had reached him, forcing court to issue a non-bailable warrant against him. "Who are these elements who have instructed police officers not to issue summons to me? The CM and deputy CM have been my associates and friends for over 40 years and it is for them to investigate and make these names public," he added.

Togadia said that he would  be present in all court hearings required. "I shall follow the court's orders. Constitution of India is supreme to Pravin Togadia," he added.