Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti Convener Hardik Patel detained by police on his way to protest in Cricket match from Rajkot Jamnagar Highway near Rajkot on Sunday. (PTI Photo)
Detained Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel was arrested today by Rajkot Police after an FIR was filed against him at Paddhari Police Station in Rajkot for allegedly insulting the national flag.
According to Rajkot-Rural Superintendent of Police (SP) Gagandeep Gambhir, police have collected concrete evidence before filing an FIR against Hardik Patel, who is already under preventive detention of local police since yesterday.
"We have checked all the video footage, which clearly suggested that Hardik did commit an offence of insulting the national flag (yesterday). Thus, police have lodged an FIR against Hardik Patel at Paddhari Police Station today. After which, we have arrested Hardik," said Mr Gambhir.
According to Mr Gambhir, Hardik Patel's feet allegedly touched the national flag, which he was carrying, as he jumped on a car in an attempt to talk to the media when he was stopped by the police at Madhapar crossroads yesterday while on his way to the stadium.
"When he was stopped by police, he suddenly jumped on the roof of his car with the national flag. While doing so, the flag touched his feet, which is against the dignity of the tricolour. This is not allowed as per the law," said the senior police officer.
Yesterday, Hardik Patel was detained by the police on his way to Khandheri cricket stadium in Rajkot ahead of the India-South Africa One Day International. He had threatened to stage a protest at the stadium.
According to Mr Gambhir, Hardik Patel will be produced before a local court in Paddhari today.