A Gujarat court has handed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava and eight others seven years in prison for a 2023 case involving the assault and intimidation of forest department officials. The Narmada Sessions Court found Vasava and his associates guilty in a case registered in 2023. The dispute arose when forest officials removed crops grown illegally on government land, leading to a confrontation at Vasava’s residence where threats were made and a shot fired into the air.
The case, ongoing in Narmada district since 2023, concluded after nearly three years of evidence examination and witness testimonies. The sentencing follows a series of legal challenges faced by Vasava, including previous cases of alleged assault and intimidation of public officials reported between 2023 and 2025. Valsad MP Dhaval Patel described the conviction as a result of a “merit-based” judicial process, highlighting the severity of the incident and Vasava’s involvement.
BJP chief spokesperson Dr. Anil Patel emphasized that the judiciary’s decision was evidence-based, refuting claims of political influence. He stressed that no political party played a role in the court’s ruling, asserting the impartiality of the legal process. Congress spokesperson Dr. Manish Doshi refrained from commenting on the judgment’s specifics, stating the party’s respect for judicial procedures and its support for leaders advocating for tribal communities.
AAP leaders, Gopal Italia and state president Isudan Gadhvi, criticized the verdict as politically motivated, alleging state machinery misuse. Italia denounced what he perceived as a conspiracy to silence tribal voices, vowing to challenge the decision in higher courts. Gadhvi echoed similar sentiments, accusing the BJP of targeting Vasava for his activism and promising legal action.
Vasava, a prominent tribal leader in Gujarat politics, has faced legal troubles despite his significant role in AAP since the 2022 Assembly elections. The sentencing is anticipated to deepen political divisions in the state.
