Additional city sessions judge SH Jha on Friday discharged Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader Ketan Patel from sedition case registered against him and five others.
City crime branch had lodged a criminal complaint against six persons including him and PAAS convenor Hardik Patel, Chirag Patel and Dinesh Bhambhaniya in 2015 for instigating Patidars against the government and disrupting law and order in city and many parts of the state. All four were arrested and sent to police remand before being released on regular bail by the high court. Hardik was even sent to exile for six months out of Gujarat.
In July this year, Ketan had moved a discharge application before the sessions court under section- 307 of the CrPC saying he has given statement under CrPC section-164 before the judicial magistrate and has accepted the facts and his role in the agitation.
A split was visible among the PAAS leaders fighting for reservation when Ketan wrote in his discharge application, "I should be made approver in the case. I will share details of roles of other accused in the offence and help the prosecution in establishing the case."
Twist in Patan case: Complainant says Hardik was not present during the attack
Five days after a case of loot and attack was lodged with Patan police and PAAS leader Hardik Patel and others arrested, complainant Narendra Patel on Friday said Hardik was not present at the spot.
The case took a turn after the three-day remand of Hardik ended, and B-division police of Patan sought its extension on Friday which was rejected.
After the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) Vikram Solanki rejected further remand application, Hardik moved a regular bail application before the sessions court.
Complainant Narendra Patel and witness Dilip Patel then filed an affidavit through advocate Raja Gogda in its support stating the accused appellant was not present when the offence took place nor did he participated in it. It stated that the complainant was assaulted by Hardik’s followers and his vehicles were present there, but not him. “So, we have no objection if he is granted regular bail,” it added. The bail application would be heard on Monday.
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