Hardik Patel doesn't get bail

The Gujarat government on Wednesday refused to accept an undertaking by jailed Patidar leader Hardik Patel in the Gujarat High Court that he won't indulge in any activity to provoke people if he was granted bail in the two sedition cases slapped against him.

This was stated during the hearing on Hardik Patel's appeal in the high court against the rejection of his bail plea in the cases for which he has been in jail since October.

Hardik Patel's counsel Zubin Bharda said that his client was not being given bail while his three other associates were out on bail.

The government on Tuesday sought time from the court to reply and was now refusing to accept Hardik Patel's assurance.

Justice A.J. Desai posted the hearing for Thursday.

There was speculation that after it declared 10 per cent reservation in jobs for economically weaker sections among the upper castes, the state government would not oppose Hardik Patel's request for bail.

But the government has not only refused to accept Patel's undertaking to the court, but it has also sought to go tough against Lalji Patel, the leader of the Sardar Patel Group working in tandem with Hardik Patel.

Lalji Patel was arrested him on Tuesday night from a hospital where he was undergoing treatment for injuries sustained during the April 17 violence in Mehsana.

He was hurt during stone throwing in a clash with the police.

"I was willing to appear in person but the police have shown undue haste and arrested me. I will not apply for bail and the onus is on the government to get me bail. I am willing to go to jail," Lalji Patel said.

The police said there was an FIR against him and it was necessary to arrest him to find out who funded the April 17 "jail bharo" programme in Mehsana.

As many as 37 people, including Lalji Patel, have been named as the accused and charged with attempt to murder under the Indian Penal Code.

--IANS

dd/mr