The Gujarat High Court on Monday granted regular bail to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Chaitar Vasava, who has been in jail since July in an attempt to murder case, while imposing the condition that he cannot enter Dediapada taluka in Narmada district for one year.
The order was passed by Justice M.R. Mengdey, who allowed Vasava’s bail plea after it had earlier been rejected by a sessions court in Rajpipla. The tribal MLA from Dediapada was arrested on July 5 under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), along with other provisions, for allegedly attacking a local panchayat president during an official meeting.
According to the FIR lodged at Dediapada police station, the incident occurred during a meeting at the prant office of Vasava’s constituency. The controversy erupted after Vasava objected to his nominee not being considered for the ‘Aapno Taluko Vibrant Taluko’ committee.
As per the complaint by Dediapada taluka panchayat president Sanjay Vasava, the MLA became agitated, hurled abuses, and allegedly threw a mobile phone at him, causing head injuries. He also allegedly tried to assault him with a glass but was restrained by police personnel present at the venue.
The charges against him include Sections 79, 109, 115, 324, 351, and 352 of the BNS, covering offences such as attempt to murder, causing hurt, and assault.
The sessions court had earlier denied bail, citing Vasava’s past criminal record, including a 2023 conviction where he was sentenced to six months in jail for voluntarily causing hurt. However, the High Court found grounds to grant him bail, provided he stays away from his home turf to prevent further tensions.
Notably, Vasava had been granted temporary three-day bail earlier this month to attend the monsoon session of the Gujarat Assembly.
