Gujarat High Court Quashes Non-Bailable Warrant Issued Against BJP MLA Hardik Patel In 2018 FIR Related To Patidar Quota Agitation

The Gujarat High Court on Monday (September 29) quashed a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against BJP MLA Hardik Patel after he gave an undertaking that he shall appear before the magistrate for attending the proceedings in a case related to a 2018 FIR registered against him. 

Patel had sought quashing of an order by the Additional Judicial Magistrate First Class, Ahmedabad (Rural) in Criminal Case No. 11926 of 2022, which rejected his application for exemption from appearance and a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. The criminal case arises out of a 2018 FIR registered at Nikol Police Station in connection with the Patidar Quota Agitation. 

Before the high court Patel had filed a written undertaking which said, "That I will remain present before the learned 3rd Additional Judicial Magistrate First Class, Ahmedabad (Rural), Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, for attending the proceedings of Criminal Case No. 11926 of 2022 and thereafter, on subsequent dates, unless exempted by the trial Court in respect of the said case". 

Taking note of the same, Justice Nirzar Desai in his order said:

"In view of the undertaking tendered by the applicant today, which is ordered to be taken on record, since, an assurance is given that the applicant will regularly attend the Court proceedings, unless an exemption is granted by the concerned trial Court, this application is allowed the non-bailable warrant issued by the concerned Court vide order dated 26.08.2025 in Criminal Case No. 11926 of 2022 is quashed and set aside. It is clarified that this Court has not examined the merits of the matter. Rule is made absolute, accordingly".

The court thus allowed the plea. 

Case title: HARDIK BHARATBHAI PATEL v/s STATE OF GUJARAT

R/CRIMINAL MISC.APPLICATION NO. 19917 of 2025

Click Here To Read/Download Order

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Guj) 153