Vansda MLA doesn’t show up for discharge plea hearing

Surat: A Navsari court has begun hearing the discharge application filed by Vansda MLA Anant Patel and other political activists in the 2022 Khergam violence case. Three FIRs were registered at Khergam police station against 26 persons, including Patel. During the hearing on Tuesday, Patel and the other political activists, Shashin Patel and Zarna Patel, were absent. The next hearing is scheduled for April 9. The Gujarat govt has appointed Nayan Sukhadwala the special public prosecutor for the case. On Oct 8, 2022, Anant Patel, other political leaders and a mob of around 50 allegedly attacked the tea stall of one Bhikhu Ahir in Khergam, set it on fire and stole Rs 1.5 lakh in cash. The damage to Ahir's property was worth Rs 8-10 lakh.When a fire brigade vehicle moved to douse the blaze, a mob of around 70-100 people obstructed it and assaulted the fireman, including fireman Harsad Pawar. The vehicle was also damaged. The mob also attacked the police and damaged four govt vehicles.Three FIRs were filed, by Ahir's wife, the fire department and the police.As Patel and the others did not turn up, the govt filed a warrant application. "It seems the discharge application is just a ploy to buy time. There is no strong reason in the application and the accused just expressed that they are innocent. We also moved a warrant application in the court," Sukhadwala said.Anant Patel's advocate, Paresh Vatvecha, said the warrant application was rejected by the court. Vatvecha added: "My clients have not been able to be present due to unavoidable circumstances. There is no visible proof that Patel was involved in the violence. Patel and the others were doing a ‘satyagrah' after he was attacked by former district panchayat president Bhikhu Ahir. Instead of registering Patel's case, three FIRs were registered against him."