By: Express News ServiceAhmedabad | Updated: September 11, 2025 08:56 PM IST 2 min readEarlier, Hardik had moved the discharge application in the case, which was rejected first by the trial court and then by the Sessions court.(Express File Photo by Nirmal Harindran)A Judicial Magistrate First Class court in Ahmedabad rural has issued a non-bailable warrant against BJP MLA from Viramgam constituency and Patidar youth leader, Hardik Patel, after he failed to appear before the court repeatedly in connection with a case registered against him in Nikol of Ahmedabad city in 2018.Hardik had spearheaded the Patidar quota agitation.He is facing charges like unlawful assembly, rioting, use of criminal force against a public servant and criminal conspiracy. The case was registered after a symbolic fast programme was held in the Nikol area without police permission.Earlier, Hardik had moved the discharge application in the case, which was rejected first by the trial court and then by the Sessions court. His quashing petition in the matter is pending before Gujarat High Court. The HC has not granted any stay and so, the trial court is moving ahead with proceedings.However, with Hardik repeatedly remaining absent before the court, the Judicial Magistrate First Class court has recently issued the non-bailable warrant against him while scheduling further proceedings on October 8.Hardik’s lawyer Rafik Lokhandwala said that they have two options available to them: Approach the same court for cancellation of warrant, or challenge the issuance of non-bailable warrant before the HC.“I will advise my client accordingly and we will follow one of the options,” Lokhandwala said.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd