Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Jailed Gujarat AAP MLA’s Wives Lead Tribal Rights Campaign
Chaitar Vasava is an elected politician from Gujarat who is in jail.
He was sentenced to seven years for a case involving alleged threats and assault against forest officials.
While he is away, his two wives, Shakuntala and Varsha, are helping lead his political work.
They recently met families who said their crops were damaged and their land was taken over.
The families also alleged that unidentified people assaulted them.
The Aam Aadmi Party said it would help the families seek legal and government assistance.
The party also raised concerns about land being sold to non-tribals in tribal areas.
Chaitar’s supporters say these issues are important to tribal communities.
His wives had also helped manage his election campaign during an earlier period of imprisonment and restrictions.
Chaitar Vasava, the AAP MLA from Dediapada, is serving a seven-year prison sentence.
His wives, Shakuntala and Varsha, are continuing his political work in South Gujarat’s tribal belt.
They visited Kodvav families who alleged crop damage, assault and encroachment on their land.
AAP leaders said they would seek legal advice and submit a memorandum to the Prant Officer.
The party also alleged that Gram Panchayats were issuing land-sale NOCs to non-tribals in tribal areas.
- Who
- AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava’s wives, Shakuntala and Varsha, along with other AAP leaders.
- What
- They are continuing Chaitar Vasava’s political activities and raising land-rights and tribal-rights issues.
- When
- They visited Kodvav on Tuesday, September 22; Chaitar Vasava was sentenced on June 23 and received temporary bail in September.
- Where
- Kodvav village in Netrang taluka of Bharuch district, in South Gujarat.
- Why
- To support families alleging assault, crop destruction and land encroachment, and to oppose alleged improper land transactions involving non-tribals.
AAP and Affected Families
Prosecution and Authorities
Land encroachment and crop damage
AAP and Affected Families
AAP and the families said unidentified people assaulted residents, cut standing crops and encroached on tribal land.
Prosecution and Authorities
The article reports no response from the alleged perpetrators or government authorities to these claims.
Case against Chaitar Vasava
AAP and Affected Families
Vasava challenged his conviction and sought suspension of his sentence; his political supporters continue to campaign on tribal and land issues.
Prosecution and Authorities
The prosecution alleged that forest officials were abused and threatened, that a firearm was fired in the air, and that officials were pressured to arrange compensation.
Land-sale approvals
AAP and Affected Families
AAP alleged that Gram Panchayats were issuing NOCs enabling non-tribals to purchase land in tribal areas and demanded action.
Prosecution and Authorities
The article does not provide a response from Gram Panchayats or officials to the allegation.
- Politician
- Chaitar Vasava, AAP MLA from Dediapada
- Sentence
- Seven years’ imprisonment in a case involving alleged assault and intimidation of forest officials
- Prison
- Vadodara Central Jail
- Village visited
- Kodvav in Netrang taluka, Bharuch district
- Local allegations
- Families alleged that standing crops were cut, land was encroached upon and people were assaulted
- AAP response
- The party said it would consult lawyers and submit a memorandum to the Prant Officer
- Land-transfer concern
- AAP alleged that some Gram Panchayats were issuing NOCs for non-tribals to buy land in tribal areas