Patel agitation: Gujarat HC summons police in Lalji Patel case

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday summoned Mehsana police along with their investigation papers and police station diary in connection with the FIR filed against Patidar quota agitation leader Lalji Patel.
Justice B N Karia kept the matter for further hearing on May 31.

The court also removed the name of Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel and Home Minister Rajnibhai Patel from the list of respondents stating that they were not necessary parties in the case.

Lalji Patel had moved an application in the court after his arrest on May 3 for attempt to murder and other charges in connection with the "jail bharo" agitation in Mehsana on April 17 that had turned violent.

In his application, Lalji had requested the court to hand over the case to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) stating that "Gujarat Police cannot act impartially, independently and fearlessly" in the case filed against him. In the petition, he alleged that he was brutally beaten up by the police and was also unlawfully detained by placing guards at the doorstep of the hospital room where he was being treated.

Patel heads the Sardar Patel Group, a body demanding reservation for Patel community along with Hardik Patel-headed Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS). Patel faces several charges under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 308 (attempt to culpable homicide), rioting and other sections of Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, among others.