A sessions court in Rajpipla sentenced Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava and eight others, including his wife Shakuntala Vasava, to seven years in prison for assaulting forest department officials, extortion, and Arms Act violations. The incident took place in Dediapada, Gujarat’s Narmada district on October 30, 2023, when officials removed crops from government forest land, leading to a confrontation.
The prosecution stated that after the removal of crops, forest officials were called to Vasava’s residence where they were threatened and abused. One official was assaulted, and demands for compensation were made. Vasava also allegedly fired a round into the air during the altercation. The case involved charges of rioting, extortion, criminal intimidation, and obstructing public servants from discharging their duties.
Vasava, his wife, and others named in the FIR were convicted, with Vasava surrendering in December 2023 after being untraceable for weeks. Despite being granted bail, Vasava contested the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Bharuch as an AAP candidate. This sentencing is significant for the AAP in Gujarat, especially in tribal-dominated regions where Vasava holds influence.
