Gujarat High Court judge recuses self from PAAS’ plea hearing

A Gujarat High Court judge on Thursday recused himself from hearing a petition filed by PAAS in which they have accused the city police of creating hurdles in the fast being carried out by Hardik Patel. 

Justice RP Dholaria said “not before me” when the matter came up for hearing. This is the second time that justice Dholaria has recused himself from a case involving the PAAS leader. Earlier, he had opted out of hearing a sedition case against Patel.

Babu Mangukiya, the lawyer for PAAS, had earlier sought urgent hearing in the matter with Justice Dholaria. He later went to the division bench headed by Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy after the recusal. The bench agreed to consider his request and said that the administrative side would look into it, and that it could not be disturbed in the middle of proceedings.  

It has been five days since the young Patel leader began his fast at his residence in Gandhinagar. In the petition filed by PAAS, the organisation has sought the court’s directions to the police that people who come to meet Patel be allowed to do so. The petition alleges that the cops are turning away most of the visitors who come to the venue.