Police files FIR against Hardik for holding rally without permission

FIR registered under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly) and 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by a public servant)

An FIR has been registered against quota agitation leader Hardik Patel and six others for organising a rally at Mansa town in Gandhinagar district on November 18 without police permission.

Mansa police said the First Information Report was registered against Hardik and his associates including Dinesh Bambhaniya and Atul Patel under IPC sections 143 (unlawful assembly) and 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by a public servant).

The FIR was registered by executive magistrate Mahesh Soni on November 20, police said.

According to Hardik's supporters, police asked them to change the venue if they wanted permission for the rally. Hardik's supporters didn't agree and went ahead with the rally at the planned venue.

The event, "Adhikar Sabha," saw a huge turnout.

Mansa is the hometown of BJP president Amit Shah.

Hardik Patel, who is heading Patidar community's agitation for reservations, today declared support to the Congress for the Gujarat Assembly elections, saying that the opposition party has accepted the demand for reservations.