AHMEDABAD
Gujarat “Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti” convener Hardik Patel, his reservation agitation colleague Ambalal Patel and Sardar Patel Group (SPG) convener Lalji Patel were sentenced to imprisonment of two years by the Visnagar sessions court on Wednesday. A fine of Rs 50,000 each was imposed on them in connection with a 2015 “rioting case”.

They, however, were promptly granted bail to allow them to appeal against the verdict in the higher court. Fourteen others named in the FIR for the attack and vandalising the office of then BJP MLA Rushikesh Patel on July 23, 2015, were acquitted of all charges by the court.

Hardik, 24, later said his indefinite fast from August 25 to revive the reservation agitation for the Patels would remain unchanged. Legal experts interpreted the court order as an impediment for Hardik to contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections despite attaining the age and eligibility. But Hardik said “if possible, he would prepare himself for contesting the 2019.”