Hardik Patel, the leader of Patel community demanding quota, has been booked in Surat under the charges of sedition over alleged remarks on 'killing cops'.

"If you have so much courage...then go and kill a couple of policemen. Patels never commit suicide," Hardik had said in Surat early this month, speaking to a local youth, Vipul Desai, who had announced that he would commit suicide in support of the agitation. Later, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) leader clarified that he meant no harm. The Gujarat Police had then said that Hardik’s provocative and insensible statement regarding killing cops violated limits of law.

FIR has been registered against Hardik Patel. Investigation will be carried out by our Crime Branch, Surat commissioner of police Rakesh Asthana told reporters. The police become his target since the August 25 rally in Ahmedabad for allegedly killing nine Patidars in the post-rally violence.

Meanwhile, Rajkot police on Sunday detained the firebrand Patel quota agitation leader as he had threatened to disrupt India-South Africa match. Hardik and four of his close aides were picked up by the police from Madhapar crossroads when he was on his way to the Khandheri stadium near here at around 1.40 pm.

The police will file also an FIR against Hardik for allegedly insulting the national flag. Hardik's feet touched the national flag which he was carrying when he jumped on the car in an attempt to talk to media when he was stopped by police.