Hardik Patel Found Guilty Of Vandalism During Patidar Agitation, Gets Two Year Jail Term

Hardik Patel and his aides Lalji Patel and A K Patel have been found guilty of vandalising the office of the then BJP MLA Rushikesh Patel in Visnagar, Indian Express has reported. Patel has been slapped with a fine of Rs 50,000 in addition to the 2 year jail term. 14 out of the 17 persons accused of arson, rioting, damage to property and unlawful assembly have been let off due to lack of evidence.

Hardik was earlier barred from entering the Mehsana district in relation to the case. Violence during 2015 Patidar agitation for reservations had left 14 people dead in police firing.

Patel had announced an indefinite fast demanding reservations from 25 August. Prior to the judgement, he had appealed his supporters to remain calm if the verdict goes against him through a video message on his Facebook page.