Assault, extortion case: Gujarat AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava sent to judicial custody, moves bail plea

Rejecting the appeal by the police to extend the MLA’s custody by ten days in order to “recover the firearm” used for intimidating the forest officials, the court remanded Chaitar and four others arrested along with him on December 14 to judicial custody at the sub-jail in Rajpipla where Chaitar’s wife Shakuntala, personal assistant Jitendra and a farmer Ramesh Vasava have been lodged since their arrest on November 3.

The police, seeking an extension of remand, told the court that during the three days that Chaitar had been sent to police custody, the investigators reconstructed the crime at the MLA’s residence in Bogaj and also allegedly recovered the “remaining extortion money” of Rs 30,000. The prosecutor informed the court that the police had recovered Rs 30,000 of the Rs 60,000 allegedly paid by the forest officials in cash after being reportedly intimidated by the MLA on October 30. However, the firearm, which Chaitar allegedly used to fire rounds in the air to “threaten the officials” is yet to be recovered.

AAP national joint secretary Gopal Italia, who was Chaitar’s counsel in the case, said, “The Dediapada court heard the arguments of both sides. The police had filed a remand application seeking extension of custody but it was rejected… Chaitar has been sent to judicial custody (along with the others) and we have moved a bail plea in the court. The court has heard arguments of both sides and an order is expected later tonight or tomorrow (Tuesday).”

Italia added that as a “responsible MLA”, Chaitar had been “raising issues concerning the people and of corruption by the government departments” which had caused “stomach cramps” to the ruling party. “This entire case is a conspiracy hatched by the ruling party to hole up a leader in prison so that he is unable to expose the corruption as he has been doing and also raise people’s issues. We have full faith in the judiciary and the bail plea will be heard soon.”