Patel quota row: Court in Mehsana grants bail to Lalji Patel

A court in Mehsana granted bail to Patel quota movement leader Lalji Patel on Saturday, who was arrested after an agitation organised by him on April 17 turned violent.

Sessions judge DY Patel granted Patel bail with a surety of Rs 15,000 and on condition that he will not indulge in activities which can threaten the law and order.

Patel was arrested on May 3 this year. Lalji Patel's Sardar Patel Group is demanding reservation for Patel community along with Hardik Patel-headed Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS).

The `courting arrest' (jail bharo) agitation by Sardar Patel Group on April 17 had turned violent at Modhera crossroads in Mehsana. Police lathicharged as the agitators pelted them with stones. Police had booked Lalji and 36 others on charges of attempt to murder, rioting and also under Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.