New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday allowed the Gujarat Police to continue to investigate Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel for sedition, but told the State to not file a chargesheet, in case the charges hold up, until it gives the final nod.
The court has directed the Gujarat government not to file a charge sheet in the case till the next date of hearing, which it fixed for January 5, 2016. The Gujarat government told the court that it will finish its investigation in a month and a half.
“We are no prejudicing your case nor are we prejudicing yours,” Justice J.S. Khehar told both Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi for the State of Gujarat and senior advocate Kapil Sibal representing the 22-year-old Mr. Patel.
The Supreme Court is hearing Mr Patel’s plea against the sedition case registered against him by the Gujarat police after he was caught on camera purportedly telling supporters to kill policemen rather than commit suicide in their agitation for reservation for the Patel community.
Sedition charges were slapped against the young leader after TV cameras caught him allegedly exhorting a youth to “kill” a few policemen instead of taking his own life.
