PAAS leader Hardik Patel in a press conference said that a Session's Court verdict will not deter him from carrying out the fast unto death that he has planned for August 25.
A Mehsana Court on Wednesday sentenced Patel and two others to two years' jail, while acquitting 14 others. The trio were granted bail soon after the order.
Hardik also expressed surprise at the speed with which the trial and verdict came to fruition even as other cases involving those in which leaders are accused of rape continue to languish in courts.
Patel was making veiled references to the recent FIR that was filed against BJP leader Jayanti Bhanushali, in which a woman accused him of rape and blackmail.
"This is an attempt by the BJP to scuttle the fast that we have planned for August 25. We want them to know that the fast will continue. We have planned meetings at taluka level, pertaining to it in the next two days," Patel said.
Questioning the verdict, Patel also said that the chargesheet in the case stated that the incident happened at 11.30pm. "I had attended the rally and left by that time, then how can I be present there. Moreover, none of the witnesses said they had seen me or the other 16 accused there," said Patel. He said it was strange that the same charges were held against all the 17, yet it was only the three who were found guilty, said Patel.
He said the verdict in the case also exposed the fact that the government's earlier promise that all cases against the Patel leader, other than the sedition case, would be withdrawn.
RAISES DOUBTS
Hardik expressed surprise at the speed with which the trial and verdict came to fruition even as other cases involving those in which leaders are accused of rape continue to languish in courts
