Gujarat HC Grants 7-Day Temporary Bail To AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava For Assembly Session

The Gujarat High Court has granted seven days of conditional temporary bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Chaitar Vasava in connection with the forest guard attack case, allowing him temporary release ahead of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly Monsoon Session.

The temporary bail will take effect from the date of his release. The court has imposed strict conditions, including a ban on addressing public gatherings and interacting with the media during the bail period.

Vasava Had Sought 15-Day Bail

Vasava had approached the High Court seeking 15 days of temporary bail to attend the three-day Monsoon Session of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly scheduled from September 9 to 11.

His counsel argued that Vasava had not yet been disqualified as an MLA and therefore needed temporary release to attend the Assembly proceedings and make use of grants for his constituency.

The State opposed the plea, arguing that a person convicted of an offence loses the right to participate in Assembly proceedings and that an invitation to attend the session does not automatically give a convicted legislator the right to do so.

Court Notes Vasava Is Still A Sitting MLA

The single-judge bench noted that Vasava had not yet been disqualified and remained a sitting MLA. The court also took into account that he had been in custody since June and that the State had itself extended an invitation to him to attend the Assembly session as an elected representative.

The court consequently granted temporary bail for seven days, while warning Vasava against violating any of the conditions imposed.

Seven-Year Sentence In Forest Guard Attack Case

The case relates to an incident in Dediapada, Narmada district, in October 2023.

Vasava and other accused were booked for allegedly summoning Forest Department personnel to his residence, assaulting and threatening officials and obstructing them from carrying out their duties.

The Narmada District and Sessions Court subsequently convicted Vasava under provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 386 relating to extortion and Section 353 concerning assault or criminal force against a public servant. He was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment.

The High Court's temporary bail order permits Vasava to remain out of custody for seven days, subject to the conditions laid down by the court.