Politics
23 Jun, 2026
Kejriwal comes out in support of convicted Gujarat AAP MLA Vasava, cries conspiracy, slams BJP
Business To Business, New Delhi, 23rd June, 2026: Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday came out in support of Gujarat AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava after a court sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment in a 2023 criminal case.
Kejriwal claimed the charges against Vasava were false and alleged that the case was part of a conspiracy by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to target a leader who had gained popularity among tribal communities in Gujarat.
Court's Verdict
Earlier on Tuesday, a sessions court in Rajpipla convicted Vasava, his wife, and seven others in a 2023 case involving allegations of:
- Assaulting forest officials
- Extortion
A V Hirpara sentenced all nine accused to
seven years in prison and imposed a
fine of ₹25,000 each, according to government lawyer Vandana Bhatt.
Kejriwal's Allegations
Reacting to the verdict, Kejriwal alleged that the case was politically motivated and linked it to Vasava's growing influence among tribal voters in Gujarat.
According to the AAP leader, the ruling BJP sought to curb Vasava's rise because of his work and popularity in tribal areas.
Political Implications
The conviction is significant because Vasava is one of AAP's prominent faces in Gujarat and has been active in raising issues related to tribal rights and local governance.
The case is likely to trigger a political confrontation between AAP and the BJP, with the former questioning the motives behind the prosecution and the latter expected to point to the judicial process and court verdict.
Vasava and the other convicted individuals retain the right to challenge the judgment before a higher court. The detailed legal and political ramifications of the verdict are expected to unfold in the coming days.