Narmada, June 24: A sessions court in Rajpipla has sentenced Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Chaitar Vasava, his wife Shakuntala Vasava, and seven others to seven years in prison. This ruling stems from a 2023 incident involving assault on forest department officials, extortion, and violations of the Arms Act.
Additional Sessions Judge A.V. Hirpara delivered the verdict after finding the nine defendants guilty. The case relates to an event that occurred on the night of October 30, 2023, in Dediyapada, located in Gujarat’s Narmada district.
According to the prosecution, the conflict began when forest officials removed crops grown on government forest land, where agricultural activities were prohibited. This action, taken following administrative directives against encroachment, sparked anger among some local villagers.
The prosecution alleges that Vasava summoned five forest officials to his home in Dediyapada, where they were threatened and mistreated during a heated argument. It is claimed that one official was assaulted, and demands for compensation for the destroyed crops were made. Investigators also alleged that Vasava fired a gun into the air during the incident.
In November 2023, an FIR was registered at the Dediyapada police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including rioting, extortion, criminal intimidation, and obstruction of government officials, as well as violations of the Arms Act.
In addition to Vasava and his wife, several associates and named villagers were also convicted. Some accused were arrested shortly after the complaint was filed, while Vasava evaded capture for several weeks before surrendering in December 2023. He later received bail and contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as an AAP candidate from Bharuch.
This sentencing marks a significant turning point for AAP in Gujarat, where Vasava has emerged as one of the party’s leading tribal leaders. He gained prominence after winning the seat in the 2022 assembly elections, helping to establish a strong base for the party in the tribal regions of South Gujarat.
Vasava has been a vocal advocate for tribal land and forest rights, playing a crucial role in extending the party’s reach to tribal communities. The case has been in court for over two years, and in May of this year, the Gujarat High Court dismissed Vasava’s plea to allow questioning of additional witnesses for the defense.
Following this sentencing, the legal ramifications of the conviction could have significant political implications for the opposition party in Gujarat, particularly in tribal-dominated areas where Vasava has built a solid support base.
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