Ahmedabad, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Gujarat High Court on Monday granted seven-day temporary bail to jailed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava to enable him to attend the Monsoon session of the state Legislative Assembly, scheduled from September 9 to 11.
Vasava, who represents the Dediapada (ST) constituency, is currently lodged in Vadodara Central Jail after a Rajpipla sessions court in June sentenced him, his wife Shakuntala Vasava and seven others to seven years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2023 case involving the alleged assault of forest officials and extortion. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on each convict.
The temporary bail will remain in force for seven days from the time of Vasava’s release. The High Court has imposed conditions, including that he remain within Gandhinagar and not address the public or the media during the bail period. He is expected to return to jail once the temporary bail expires.
Gujarat AAP President Isudan Gadhvi confirmed that Vasava had been granted temporary bail in view of the Assembly session.
“My MLA, respected Chaitar Vasava, is in jail while the Assembly session is being held. In view of this, the High Court has granted Chaitarbhai seven days of temporary bail subject to certain conditions,” Gadhvi said.
He added that Vasava would stay in Gandhinagar and comply with the restrictions, including the prohibition on speaking to the media.
The case relates to an incident on October 30, 2023, when forest officials allegedly removed crops cultivated on government land near Bogaj village in Dediapada.
According to the prosecution, the officials were subsequently called to Vasava’s residence, where he allegedly threatened them, slapped one official and fired a pistol into the air. His wife was accused of extorting Rs 60,000 from the officials.
The charges included rioting, assault on a public servant, extortion and offences under the Arms Act.
Vasava’s lawyers have disputed the firearm allegation, arguing that no weapon or ballistic report was produced in the case.
On August 24, the High Court had rejected Vasava’s plea for regular bail and suspension of his sentence. The court observed that, as an elected representative, he should have guided people towards legal remedies and said that releasing a convicted legislator could create an impression that people holding positions of power were above the law.
Shakuntala Vasava and four other co-convicts, who were treated as secondary accused, were granted bail in July.
Vasava has not yet been formally disqualified as an MLA. The state government told the court that the invitation issued to him to attend the Assembly session was in accordance with the rules of the Legislature.
FOLLOW NOW
