The Gujarat High Court on Monday rejected Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Chaitar Vasava’s plea seeking bail and the suspension of his seven-year jail term following his conviction for extortion and assault of forest officials in Narmada district.
The Dediapada MLA, his wife, personal assistant and six others were sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment on June 23 in connection with a 2023 case of assaulting forest officials and extortion.
He continues to be a legislator because the Gujarat assembly hasn’t completed the formalities for his disqualification.
Justice Vimal K Vyas dismissed Vasava’s application after considering his criminal antecedents and conduct while on bail and probation, pointing that 22 serious offences had been registered against Vasava.
The bench also noted that the assault and extortion case was registered against him on Noember 2, 2023 when he was already out on bail in other cases.
“The conduct of the applicant-accused Chaitar Vasava, prima facie, reflects his disregard for law and the orders passed by the competent courts. It further indicates, at least prima facie, his tendency to respond to opposition or criticism with physical assault and violence, thereby creating an atmosphere of fear,” the high court said in its 70-page order.
The court said such conduct was “not befitting a sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly who represents a law-making institution.”
{{/usCountry}}The court said such conduct was “not befitting a sitting Member of the Legislative Assembly who represents a law-making institution.”
{{/usCountry}}The case relates to an incident on October 30, 2023, after forest authorities cleared crops being illegally cultivated on government forest land. According to the prosecution, Vasava summoned the officials to his residence and assaulted them. The officials were also forced to arrange a payment of ₹60,000.
The FIR was registered on November 2, 2023 and the charge sheet was filed on January 30, 2024. The charges were framed on August 7, 2025 and 17 prosecution witnesses were examined during the trial.
“It is well said that ‘Law is the king of kings, nothing is mightier than law, by whose aid, even the weak may prevail over the strong.’ Bearing in mind the aforesaid, Vasava, being a sitting MLA, ought to have guided the aggrieved person to seek lawful remedies. Instead, as the materials on record prima facie reflect, he resorted to intimidation and coerced government employees into arranging and paying compensation to individuals who had encroached upon forest lands and undertaken unauthorised cultivation,” the verdict said.
The high court stressed that holding a high public office did not confer any immunity from the operation of law. “Such office can neither be regarded as an authority to indulge in criminal activities nor be utilised as a shield against the legal consequences flowing therefrom,” the court said in its order.
Vasava was convicted under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 386 relating to extortion, and sentenced to seven years’ rigorous imprisonment under Section 386 read with Sections 34 and 149. He was also sentenced under provisions relating to assault on public servants, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly and rioting.
The court also noted that Vasava was earlier convicted in a case registered at Dediapada police station and was released on probation for two years on a condition to maintain good conduct. The court said that during that probation period, Vasava was involved in seven other offences, including the present case.
The court also said that granting suspension of sentence and bail in such circumstances “may create a perception in the society that persons in power are beyond the reach of law.”