Arrested Patel leader moves HC, wants SIT probe of his case

Sardar Patel Group convener Lalji Patel, arrested on April 17 during court arrest agitation over the demand of reservation for the Patel community, has moved the Gujarat High Court seeking transfer of the probe in the case against him to a special investigation team.
His petition is likely to be heard on May 17.
"Gujarat police cannot act impartially, independently and fearlessly," it says, seeking a SIT comprising "persons of impeccable integrity".
Patel alleges that police beat him up brutally during the agitation and he was "unlawfully detained by placing guards at the doorstep of the room (in the hospital) where he was being treated" afterwards. Though he was formally arrested on May 3, he had been in fact under arrest since April 17, he says.

Police's investigation is motivated by the intention to "suppress a movement raised by the petitioner as the president of Sardar Patel Group (SPG)," the petition says.
SPG, along with Hardik Patel-headed Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS), is leading the Patel community's agitation for OBC quota. Lalji has been arrested under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 308 (attempt to culpable homicide), rioting, and under Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act. FIR also names 36 others.

The court arrest agitation on April 17 turned violent at Modhera crossing in Mehsana and police lathicharged and used tear gas shells as the mob hurled stones.

Meanwhile, some members of PAAS too have moved the High Court against the government, police and administration of seven districts in the state over refusal of permission to organise 'Sardar Ekta Yatra' ('Sardar solidarity march') on May 22.
The Yatra was to pass through seven districts, covering 610 villages to spread awareness about education, harmony, the need to save the girl child and environment, among other things, the organizers said.
This petition is also likely to be heard on May 17.