After Hardik went missing from Aravali district yesterday, his aides moved a habeas corpus plea through his lawyer, BM Mangukiya, in Gujarat High Court in the wee hours today alleging that police had illegally detained him.
In a hearing at a judge's house that ended at 2.40 AM, high court directed the state government to find Hardik and file a reply by tomorrow, that is, September 24.
Even as police claimed that they could not locate him, Hardik himself called his aides in the morning and said he had been abducted by unknown persons last night and later released on the highway near Dhrangadhra town of Surendranagar district.
"This is a clear-cut case of abduction. It is a matter of investigation whether it was done by the police or someone at their behest," Mangukia said.
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"We will produce Hardik in high court tomorrow," he added.
Asked if he will seek an inquiry, Mangukia said a complaint of abduction would certainly be filed.
Mangukiya added that, according to the 22-year-old Hardik, they looked like police officials.
Asked if Hardik had noted the registration number of the car, Mangukia said he had failed to do so.