The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined urgent hearing of Patidar leader Hardik Patel’s plea seeking a suspension of his conviction so that he can contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“What’s the urgency now,” the top court asked, pointing out his conviction in a 2015 case relating to rioting.
The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra.
The bench also comprising Justice Navin Sinha and Justice M M Shantanagoudar told the counsel appearing for Patel that there was no urgency in hearing the matter as the high court order was passed in August 2018.
Patel, 25, who joined the Congress party in March 2019 had moved the top court after his plea for stay was rejected by Gujarat High Court.
Last year, Patel was awarded two years in jail by a lower court in Gujarat for rioting in 2015, during Patidar quota protests that he led.
The last date for filing of nominations is April 4.
