Rajpipla

A sessions court in Gujarat's Narmada district on Tuesday sentenced Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava and eight others, including his wife, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a case related to the assault of forest officials and extortion.

Additional Sessions Judge A.V. Hirpara convicted Vasava, his wife Shakuntala Vasava, and seven co-accused in connection with an incident that took place in Dediapada town in October 2023.

According to the prosecution, the dispute arose after forest department officials removed crops that had allegedly been cultivated illegally on government land in the area. Following the action, the officials were called to Vasava's residence in Dediapada for discussions regarding the matter.

The prosecution alleged that during the meeting, a heated argument broke out, during which Vasava and the other accused threatened the officials. It was further alleged that Vasava fired a round into the air during the confrontation, escalating tensions.

Based on a complaint filed after the incident, police registered a case against Vasava and the other accused in November 2023.

They were charged under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including offences related to rioting, extortion and assault on public servants, along with sections of the Arms Act.

Following the trial, the court found the accused guilty and awarded a seven-year prison sentence to all nine convicts.

Chaitar Vasava, a prominent tribal leader, represents the Dediapada (Scheduled Tribe) Assembly constituency in Gujarat and has been one of the Aam Aadmi Party's key faces in the state.

READ MORE: Bhiwandi mosque opened doors to NEET parents, showed way to brotherhood

Further legal proceedings, including appeals against the conviction, are expected in the coming days.