Extortion charges: Guj HC asks BJP MLA to appear before cops

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat high court on Thursday asked Dhari MLA Nalin Kotadia to appear before the investigating agency, the city crime branch, on Friday and asked cops not to arrest him at least till August 16.
Kotadia had sought anticipatory bail from the court in connection with an FIR lodged by a builder with Vastrapur police station accusing him of threat and extortion.He has been asked to cooperate with investigation.
Kotadia had sought anticipatory bail arguing that he was being framed in the case as he was about to expose a major land scam involving chief minister Anandiben Patel and other BJP leaders. He termed it a political conspiracy against him.
Builder Madhubhai Vasani on Wednesday lodged a police complaint against Kotadia that he barged into his office around 8 pm on Tuesday with his men, demanded Rs 2 crore, and threatened him.
Kotadia was earlier with the BJP when he and some rebels had formed the Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) under former chief minister Keshubhai Patel to take on then CM Narendra Modi. Later, the GPP merged with BJP.
Kotadia has been a loud supporter of Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel and joined their protest demonstrations against the state government.