Khushi Gupta
Published on: April 12, 2022 at 17:59 IST
The Supreme Court stayed the Conviction of Gujarat Congress President Hardik Patel in Mehsana Rioting Case of 2015.
A Bench of Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice Vikram Nath also said that it was a fit Case for the Gujarat High Court to have stayed Patel’s Conviction.
The Apex Court proceeded to grant Relief to Patel.
“Having heard Senior Counsel Maninder Singh and having regard to the Facts and Circumstances, we are of the view that this is the fit Case for High Court to have stayed the Conviction. The Conviction is, hereby, stayed until the Appeals are decided accordingly,” the Court directed.
Patel was Convicted by the Trial Court for his role in Riots. He had approached the Gujarat High Court prior to the 2019 General Elections for a stay.
The High Court rejected the Plea due to which he was unable to contest in the polls. He then approached the Apex Court.
“Not allowing me contest Election is a Violation of my Right to Freedom of Expression. It is a Violation. I have already lost one chance to contest election in 2019,” Senior Counsel Maninder Singh said on behalf of Patel.
“We are before your Lordships to get our Rights under Article 19(1)(a) to be enforced. I am not a serious killer. They have misused the Police Power. Therefore, I don’t know what they have to say, but my Lords must decide this Case soon,” Singh submitted.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the State of Gujarat said, “In Criminal Law, there is no one standard Guidelines to say which one is right. Your Lordship may decide the Issue. Whether Patel might have won or not, is not the Issue in this Case”.
The Court after hearing both sides proceeded to grant Interim Relief.