BJP MLA from Viramgam and Patidar quota leader Hardik Patel faces renewed legal heat after an Ahmedabad Rural Court issued a second arrest warrant against him in a 2018 case.
The fresh warrant was reissued on Friday after Patel again skipped a hearing, just two days after the court had already ordered a non-bailable warrant for his absence. The order authorizes police to arrest him and present him in court.
The case stems from Patel&rsquo;s August 2018 hunger strike in Nikol, Ahmedabad, demanding Patidar reservation and farm loan waivers. Police said the protest was held without permission and escalated into clashes with law enforcement, where abusive language and physical altercations were reported. Patel, Geeta Patel, and Kiran Patel were booked for disturbing public order.
Hardik faces charges including unlawful assembly, rioting, assault on a public servant, and criminal conspiracy. His discharge plea was earlier rejected by both the trial court and Sessions Court. Though he later petitioned the Gujarat High Court to quash the case, no interim relief was granted, allowing the trial to proceed.
Given Patel&rsquo;s repeated no-shows, the Judicial Magistrate First Class fixed the next stage of hearing for October 8.
His lawyer Rafik Lokhandwala said, &ldquo;I will advise my client accordingly and we will follow one of the options,&rdquo; noting they may seek cancellation of the warrant before the trial court or challenge it in the High Court.
Patel, once the face of the Patidar agitation, now finds his political journey clouded by ongoing legal hurdles and strict court orders on his attendance.

BJP MLA and Patidar quota movement leader Hardik Patel

Gujarat MLA Hardik Patel’s legal battle deepens as court repeats arrest order

Gujarat Court Issues Second Warrant for Patel

Gujarat MLA Hardik Patel’s legal battle deepens as court repeats arrest order

September 13, 2025 | 01:26 IST