The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday asked Patel quota agitation leader Hardik Patel’s lawyer not to make further allegations, which may aggravate the situation in the state, and sought another shorter affidavit to substantiate Hardik’s claims about alleged abduction.
Hardik’s lawyer BM Mangukia on Tuesday filed a detailed affidavit, levelling more allegations against the state. But the Division Bench of Justices MR Shah and KJ Thaker said the allegations and counter-allegations were not desirable.
Two aides of Hardik had filed a habeas corpus <g data-gr-id="27">petition,</g> when he had gone missing after a public meeting at <g data-gr-id="25">Tenpur</g> village in <g data-gr-id="26">Bayad</g> tehsil of Aravali village on September 22. Hardik surfaced on September 23 and alleged that he had been abducted by “a person looking like cops”. “Petitioners have filed an affidavit-in-rejoinder. It contains further allegations against the state administration. It was suggested to the petitioner’s advocate BM Mangukia to file a short affidavit in the habeas corpus petition and avoid any allegations and counter allegations,” the HC said.
“He (Mangukia) took suggestions in the right spirit and takes back the affidavit and will file a short affidavit to substantiate his claims in the petition,” said the HC order, adding that: “It must be ensured that no allegations or counter- allegations are made which might aggravate the situation.”
When Hardik appeared before the court following his ‘abduction’ and release, the judges had expressed doubts about his <g data-gr-id="22">claims,</g> and asked his lawyer to file an affidavit to substantiate the allegations.
Advocate Mangukia said he was ready to withdraw his allegations and he had never said that the police had abducted Hardik.