VADODARA: Controversy erupted in Mahisagar district on Monday after a local Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader was arrested by the police. Twenty-eight-year old Virendra Patel, who is convener of PAAS in Mahisagar, was nabbed by the cops on Sunday morning when he was passing from Santrampur Road. The police said that they found a country-made pistol and one live cartridge from him. The PAAS leaders, however, alleged that Virendra was being framed by the local police as he is part of the Patidar reservation agitation.
"We had received information following which we kept an eye on the area and intercepted the car. Virendra, who was travelling in the car, was carrying a pistol and a live cartridge. He works in Dahod that is close to Madhya Pradesh and we had information that he is fond of weapons. His Facebook profile too has his photos with a revolver," said Mahisagar superintendent of police (SP), N K Amin.
Central Gujarat PAAS convener Uday Patel, however, said, "Virendra was picked up when he was on his way to attend a meeting of PAAS leader Hardik Patel in Udaipur. The police earlier tried to frame him in a false rape case by pressurizing a local girl. When it failed, they framed him in the weapon's case." PAAS leaders and local Congress MLA Hirabhai Patel met the resident additional collector and to protest against Virendra's arrest on Monday.
Amin rubbished the allegations of framing Virendra in fake rape case. "We had called the girl as Virendra had been talking with her. It was a routine inquiry and the girl, who was accompanied by her husband, was allowed to go later. Virendra's arrest has nothing to do with PAAS and its agitation and he is not important a leader."