Hardik Patel poses threat to security of Surat prison: jail officials

Surat:  Authorities of Lajpore jail want their high-profile inmate Hardik Patel, the Patel quota agitation leader, to be shifted to another prison because of his alleged ‘uncivilised behaviour’ and recovery of mobile phones and other items from his possession that they said posed a threat to security of the facility.

Lajpore jail officials on Tuesday submitted an affidavit in a court here in this regard. Jailer Paresh Patel said he filed the affidavit before the court of Principal Session Judge Geeta Gopi on behalf of Jail Superintendent RM Pande.

Mr Pande told the court Mr Patel should be transferred to another jail as he posed "threat" to the prison's security following recovery of a slew of items, including a mobile phone outside his barrack, and a mobile charger and a battery from his possession a few days ago.

"We also informed the court about the uncivilised behaviour of undertrial Hardik Patel with police constables who are deputed for his security," Mr Patel said.

The development came a day after the court served a notice to the jail authorities on a complaint by Mr Patel who said his letters were not being dispatched by prison officials despite an order in this regard given by another court three and half months ago.

The quota leader's complaint came after police seized a letter along with a mobile charger and a battery from his possession when he was being escorted out of the jail to be taken to a Visnagar court for hearing in another case.

Police had filed two FIRs against Patel for receiving, bringing or removing "prohibited articles" under relevant sections of Prison Act.

The 23-year-old Patel quota stir spearhead will have to remain in jail as his bail plea in the sedition case filed in Surat was rejected by Judge Geeta Gopi today.

His bail application in another sedition case filed in Ahmedabad was rejected by the court there on March 8 following which he moved the Gujarat High Court for relief.