Continuing the attack on the Patel community leader Hardik Patel, the Gujarat police have arrested another key aid of Hardik, Nilesh Patel from Morbi in Saurashtra. Nilesh Patel was arrested on the charge of sedition for the usage of indecent language in messages against the PM and CM, sent through social media all through the agitation. Already Hardik’s aides in Surat and Ahmedabad were detained by the police.
Cyber crime charges were also laid on Nilesh Patel on allegations for sending messages inciting violence and generating enmity among communities in the society.
Also read: Hardik Patel detained for taking out Ekta Yatra without permission
In the meantime, the State government was asked by the High Court of Gujarat to find Hardik Patel and to produce him in the court by Thursday. The order was passed on the habeas corpus writ filed at 1:30 am. The case was heard at 2:30 am by Justice MR Shah at his residence.
However, lawyer of Mr. Hardik submitted that the Patel community leader is already in the police custody. Police categorically denied the charge maintaining that Hardik escaped from a village in North Gujarat and is “on the run after he escaped the police.”
The Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) key member said, “The police claim that he escaped the police and disappeared but we are apprehending that the police have arrested him and is not disclosing.”
PAAS was the outfit to which Mr. Hardik floated to launch the Patel community agitation seeking reservation benefits for the Patel community in Gujarat.
Earlier, Chirag Patel and two other were detained by the Ahmedabad police just before their schedule to conduct a press conference on Tuesday night at 8:30 pm. Reports also suggested that Alpesh Patel and others were arrested by the police in Surat previous Saturday for getting involved in arranging Ekta Yatra.
Hardik Patel is a criminal
Hardik Patel was described as a criminal by a top Gujarat police officer saying that he is being searched by the police. Hardik dramatically escaped while attending a function of Patel community in a village located in North Gujarat.
Hasmukh Patel, Gandhinagar range IG, said, “He was holding the meeting without police permission and when the police reached at the venue, he disappeared. We are looking for him.”
“He is a criminal, not a leader of any community or any agitation. He is trying to instigate people to turn violent in the name of agitation,” the officer added.
-Sumana
