Temporary relief for Hardik in 2015 rioting case

Gujarat High Court on Wednesday provided respite to Patidar agitation warrior Hardik Patel in 2015 rioting case by putting a stay on two-year jail term awarded to him by a local Court.

“The high court has given its order on a plea filed by me. Now we will abide by court's order,” Hardik Patel told reporters. “I have been maintaining that we have not done anything wrong to be punished for.”

A mob of 500 people had turned violent and vandalised the BJP legislator Rushikesh Patel’s office during a rally organised in 2015 demanding quota for Patel community in government jobs and educational institutions.

Other than Hardik, Sardar Patel Group leader Laljibhai Patel and A K Patel were also awarded two-year jail term by the Visnagar local court.

Though Hardik has always claimed that he was not in the race to contest forthcoming Parliamentary polls of 2019, post the Visnagar court verdict and as per the provisions of the People’s Representation Act, Hardik had become ineligible to contest any elections. This could change if the judgment is overturned by the higher court.

The stay given by Gujarat High Court judge Justice S H Vora would remain valid till next hearing. Though the Court is yet to fix the date of the next hearing.

“We have been working for truth and if I raise the issues of people and you (detractors) want to dub Hardik as a Rebel, then I am a rebel,” Hardik said adding that he will go on an indefinite fast from August 25.

“The government may have converted the venue of my fast into a parking lot but there are 11 other venues nearby. I will meet Police Commissioner on Friday and this would be the last warning for them to agree or disagree. We are seeking permission as per our democratic rights and hope that they would agree,” Hardik said.