Setback for Congress: Hardik Patel's election candidature in peril after Gujarat HC refuses to stay conviction order

In a major big setback for newly-joined Congress leer Hardik Patel, Gujarat High Court on Friday rejected his plea seeking suspension of his conviction in a rioting case of 2015 in Mehsana. As per Representation of People Act, 1951, Hardik Patel won't be able to contest upcoming Lok Sabha Election due to his conviction.

Observing that grounds for appeal are r urgent, Justice AG Uraizee, during hearing, took into account number of pending cases against Hardik Patel across various courts before rejecting his plea. court furr ded that faith in Justice will shake if stay on his appeal is granted. 

 Gujarat government on Tuesday h opposed his plea, seeking a stay on conviction in a rioting case in Visnagar, by producing photographic evidences and documents that it claimed established his presence during incident.

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Gujarat High Court on Friday rejected Congress and Patidar leer Hardik Patel’s plea seeking stay on sentence awarded to him in a rioting case, narrowing his chances of electoral debut in upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Hardik Patel h on March 12 officially joined Rahul Gandhi-led Congress party and soon after moved a petition in high court, seeking a stay on his conviction by  Visnagar sessions court in case on ground he intends to contest next month's Lok Sabha elections. 

sessions court h awarded him two-year jail term in 2015 case, which is linked to Patidar quota agitation led by 25-year-old leer.

As per rms, he will be barred from contesting Lok Sabha elections if his conviction is t stayed by  High Court. Representation of People’s Act bars anyone with two or more than two years imprisonment sentence from contesting elections.

WATCH: Hardik Patel Confronted In Gujarat Over His Decision To Join Congress, Support To 'Tukde Tukde Gang'

(With PTI inputs)