Big blow to AAP in Gujarat, Chaitra Vasava’s legislative term ends, seat vacant

A sessions court in Gujarat’s Rajpipla on Tuesday convicted Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitra Vasava, his wife Shakuntala Vasava and seven other persons in a case of attack on forest officials and extortion and sentenced them to seven years imprisonment each. After this, Gujarat Assembly Deputy Speaker said that after the court’s decision, AAP MLA Chaitra Vasava is no longer an MLA. According to the law, his seat will now be considered vacant.

What is the whole matter?

The incident happened on 30 October 2023. According to the prosecution, the dispute had arisen after forest department officials had removed the cotton crop grown illegally on government land. According to the prosecution, the officials were called to the residence of MLA Vasava in Dediapada town in Narmada district to discuss the issue. Vasava, a tribal leader representing Dediapada (reserved) assembly constituency, threatened the officers at his home, slapped one of them and fired a shot in the air from his pistol, police said.

Evidence was destroyed by hiding or disposing of the pistol – Police

Police said that the accused, including Vasava’s wife, collected a total of Rs 60,000 from the forest officials in exchange for crop removal and later Vasava destroyed the evidence by hiding or disposing of the pistol. Vasava’s personal assistant Jitendra Vasava was accused of contacting the MLA on phone and asking him to come to collect the collection amount.

A case was registered against MLA Vasava, his wife and seven others under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections related to rioting, extortion and assault on government officials. Charges were also leveled against him under the provisions of the Arms Act. Charges were fixed for August 7, 2025.

A total of 17 witnesses were cross-examined

Special Public Prosecutor Amit Nair said, ‘During the hearing, a total of 17 prosecution witnesses were cross-examined and several documentary evidences were presented. All the witnesses supported our case. We requested a maximum punishment of 10 years and argued that an elected representative is expected to take legal recourse rather than resorting to violence, and no person is above the law.

During the hearing, Nair argued that statements of witnesses, documentary evidence, call records and bank statements proved the involvement of the accused. He also mentioned other recent FIRs lodged against Vasava, in which he was named for crimes like assault and creating public disorder.

Application rejected by High Court, Supreme Court

At the stage of final cross-examination, Vasava’s lawyers sought to re-call some of the prosecution witnesses, but the plea was rejected by the sessions court. The appeal against this decision was rejected by the Gujarat High Court on May 7, 2026 and by the Supreme Court on May 19. After this the accused filed an application for permission to cross-examine the defense witnesses, whereas earlier it had decided not to do so. This application was also rejected by the Sessions Court and later by the High Court.

Vasava arrested on 5 July 2025

The AAP MLA was arrested on July 5, 2025, on charges of attempt to murder under Section 109 of the Indian Judicial Code (BNS). It is alleged that he had attacked the Taluka Panchayat President during a meeting. While granting bail in September last year, the High Court had put a condition that he would not enter Dediapada taluka for one year.

In April 2026, three FIRs were registered against Vasava and some other local leaders at Jhagariya GIDC police station in Bharuch district. This incident happened when he had gone to a factory to demand compensation for the victims of a fire incident, where he slapped a man and he in turn slapped him.