3 weeks ago
Gujarat opposes AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava's plea against conviction
An MLA is a person people vote for to make rules and take care of their area.
Chaitar Vasava is an MLA from a place called Dediapada in Gujarat.
He was found guilty by a court and sent to jail for seven years.
This happened because forest workers said he and others were mean and scary to them.
The workers said they were made to stand in a line and threatened.
They also said someone fired a gun in the air.
Vasava says he did not do these things and that there is no proof.
He asked a bigger court, the High Court, to free him while he appeals.
The government says an MLA should set a good example for people.
The High Court is still deciding what to do, and will hear more about it on Monday.
AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava is challenging his conviction and seven-year rigorous imprisonment sentence in the Gujarat High Court.
He was convicted on June 23 alongside eight co-accused, including his wife Shakuntala Vasava, in the 2023 forest officials assault case.
The State alleges officials were made to stand in a line, abused, threatened, and that a shot was fired in the air after an encroachment removal drive.
Prosecution also alleges a Rs 60,000 extortion payment, arguing an MLA 'stands on a different footing' as a guide for society.
Vasava disputes the allegations citing non-recovery of the firearm and absence of forensic evidence; six co-accused have been granted bail.
- Who
- AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava and the Gujarat government, arguing before Justice Vimal Vyas of the Gujarat High Court.
- What
- Hearing on Vasava's plea challenging his conviction and seven-year jail term and seeking suspension of sentence and bail.
- Where
- Gujarat High Court; the conviction was by the Additional Sessions Court at Rajpipla and the incident occurred in Bogaj village.
- When
- Friday hearing, with the matter to be heard again on Monday; Vasava was convicted on June 23, and the incident occurred on October 30, 2023.
- Why
- The State argues elected MLAs are guides for society and stand on a different footing, while Vasava says the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Prosecution (Gujarat State)
Defense (MLA Chaitar Vasava)
Threat and firearm allegations
Prosecution (Gujarat State)
Witnesses who inspire confidence testified that officials were threatened and a shot was fired in the air; absence of physical evidence alone cannot dislodge the prosecution case.
Defense (MLA Chaitar Vasava)
No firearm, cartridge or bullet was recovered, no ballistic or gunshot residue reports exist, and witnesses contradicted each other over whether the weapon was a pistol or a revolver.
Rs 60,000 extortion payment
Prosecution (Gujarat State)
The money was paid to the accused following the confrontation, arranged by the officials' superior, and amounts to extortion by putting officials in fear.
Defense (MLA Chaitar Vasava)
The transaction took place a day later at a different location, Vasava was not present, and the amount was arranged after the complainant consulted senior officers.
Suspension of sentence
Prosecution (Gujarat State)
An MLA stands on a different footing as society learns from elected representatives, and Vasava failed to disclose relevant antecedents in his application.
Defense (MLA Chaitar Vasava)
The trial court shifted the burden of proof onto the accused, relied on incoherent evidence, and failed to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
Key facts
- Accused
- Chaitar Vasava, AAP MLA from Dediapada
- Sentence
- Seven years' rigorous imprisonment
- Conviction
- June 23, 2026, Additional Sessions Court, Rajpipla
- Incident
- October 30, 2023, confrontation with forest officials after encroachment removal in Bogaj village
- Co-accused
- Eight, including wife Shakuntala Vasava
- Alleged extortion amount
- Rs 60,000
- Charges
- Extortion under IPC Sections 383 and 386
- Bail status
- Vasava and PA Jitendra in jail; six co-accused granted bail in July
Quotes
Public Prosecutor Mitesh Amin
Prosecutor for Gujarat state in the High Court case against MLA Chaitar Vasava
“"The firearm was brought, and a shot was fired in the air"”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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