Hardik Patel chargesheeted in second sedition case

The Ahmedabad crime branch on Monday filed a 2,700-page chargesheet in a sessions court here against Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel in one of the two sedition cases in which he is charged.

The Ahmedabad crime branch on Monday filed a 2,700-page chargesheet in a sessions court here against Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel in one of the two sedition cases in which he is charged.

Surat: Convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti Hardik Patel being taken to a court in Surat on Monday. PTI Photo (PTI12_28_2015_000119B)(PTI)

The chargesheet has estimated damages to the tune of Rs 44 crore to public property in riots allegedly instigated by the 22-year-old in August last year.

The crime branch filed testimonies of 503 witnesses, including the registrar of co-operative societies, to prove that Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) formed by Hardik in July is not a registered trust or organisation.

With this, all those who sponsored PAAS’s August 25 rally in Ahmedabad, which was attended by some five lakh Patidars, have also come under the scanner.

The crime branch also attached transcripts of 42 calls between Hardik and others as well as WhatsApp messages as evidence to prove that he instigated the mob. The speech delivered by Hardik on August 25 was also attached, along with copies of all the FIRs related to the August 25-26 rioting cases.

Hardik’s detention at the end of the rally had sparked state-wide riots for two days.

Lodged in Rajpore Central Jail in Surat since October, two separate sedition FIRs have been registered against him.

On January 8, the Surat crime branch had filed a 1,000-page chargesheet in a local court. The Supreme Court on February 3 will hear Hardik’s plea to quash the sedition charges.