Hardik Patel was arrested on October 19.
Ahmedabad:
Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel will be investigated for sedition, the Gujarat High Court ruled today, rejecting a petition that challenged a police complaint filed against him in Surat.
The 22-year-old leader of Patel community's agitation for reservations was arrested and booked by the police on sedition charges on October 19, for allegedly exhorting youngsters from his community to kill policemen rather than committing suicide.
The court said today that prima facie, sedition charges hold against him and directed the police to continue further investigation. It however asked for charges that accuse him of creating animosity between two communities to be dropped.
Pronouncing the order, the judge observed today: "Advising a person to resort to violence and disturb peace in the society amounts to sedition." "It's open for Patidars (Patels) to demand quota by peaceful means, but what's not permissible is any act that may jeopardise public tranquility," he added.
On October 3, Hardik had met a Surat based man who had announced that he would commit suicide in support of the agitation. "If you have so much courage...then go and kill a couple of policemen. Patels never commit suicide," he allegedly told him.
He visited his house accompanied by a team of a local news channel, which aired the conversation later. His remarks were also shared on social media, sparking a controversy.
The petition challenging sedition charges against him was filed by his father Bharat Patel, a BJP worker in Ahmedabad.
Five close aides of Hardik Patel have also been booked on sedition charges.
The 22-year-old leader of Patel community's agitation for reservations was arrested and booked by the police on sedition charges on October 19, for allegedly exhorting youngsters from his community to kill policemen rather than committing suicide.
The court said today that prima facie, sedition charges hold against him and directed the police to continue further investigation. It however asked for charges that accuse him of creating animosity between two communities to be dropped.
Pronouncing the order, the judge observed today: "Advising a person to resort to violence and disturb peace in the society amounts to sedition." "It's open for Patidars (Patels) to demand quota by peaceful means, but what's not permissible is any act that may jeopardise public tranquility," he added.
On October 3, Hardik had met a Surat based man who had announced that he would commit suicide in support of the agitation. "If you have so much courage...then go and kill a couple of policemen. Patels never commit suicide," he allegedly told him.
He visited his house accompanied by a team of a local news channel, which aired the conversation later. His remarks were also shared on social media, sparking a controversy.
The petition challenging sedition charges against him was filed by his father Bharat Patel, a BJP worker in Ahmedabad.
Five close aides of Hardik Patel have also been booked on sedition charges.
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