Gujarat government seeks more time to respond to Alpesh Kathiriya bail plea

The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday gave the state government time till October 30 to file its reply in response to the bail plea filed by Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti’s Convenor Alpesh Kathiriya. Though the state was supposed to file its reply on Wednesday, it sought more time since investigation into the matter is still on.

Kathiriya is behind bars in connection with a sedition case lodged with the Ahmedabad Crime Branch in 2015 after widespread violence broke out across the state during Hardik Patel’s quota stir. Kathiriya had moved the high court against the refusal of his bail plea by the city sessions court.

Counsel for Kathiriya vehemently opposed the state’s request for more time to file reply on the ground that sufficient time had been already provided to the government. It was also argued that when the main accused in the matter, Hardik Patel, is out of jail, what was the point in keeping Kathiriya behind bars. His counsel also argued that he has done nothing wrong and his legal practice as an advocate is getting affected.

Meanwhile, the state counsel said that Kathiriya was absconding for two years and therefore, his contention that his legal practice is getting affected because he is behind bars does not hold ground. Following the arguments, the single judge bench of justice AY Kogje granted further time to the state government and adjourned the matter for further hearing on October 30.