Vasava, MLA from Dediapada, was convicted by an Additional Sessions Court in Rajpipla on June 23 along with eight co-accused, including his wife Shakuntala Vasava, for offences arising out of an incident in November 2023. (File Photo)Refusing relief to AAP legislator Chaitar Vasava, the Gujarat High Court on Monday said an MLA must guide an aggrieved person towards lawful remedies, not stand accused of intimidating government officials into paying compensation to encroachers.On June 23, an additional sessions court sentenced Vasava and several others in a case of assault, intimidation and extortion of forest department officials after a 2023 anti-encroachment drive in Narmada district. Vasava challenged this ruling and sought suspension of his sentence.On Monday morning, Justice Vimal K Vyas dismissed the application by Vasava, MLA from Dediapada, and his personal assistant, Jitendra Vasava.Holding that the conduct attributed to the AAP MLA was “prima facie” not befitting the office he holds, the court invoked a larger principle: “Law is the king of kings; nothing is mightier than law.”The High Court, however, granted relief to 19-year-old Rikesh Vasava, whose role, the prosecution said, was limited to allegedly bringing a firearm at Chaitar Vasava’s instructions. The prosecution alleged that the weapon was used to fire in the air to threaten forest officials who were “made to stand in a line, abused and humiliated”. Rikesh Vasava’s sentence was suspended, and he was granted bail. Other accused, including Chaitar Vasava’s wife Shakuntala, have also been granted bail.The High Court noted that Chaitar Vasava “misused” his bail and “continued to involve himself in further offences for the benefit of his supporters”. “An order suspending the sentence and enlarging the accused on bail may create a perception in the society that persons in power are beyond the reach of law and may commit the offences without fear and legal consequences. The court cannot remain oblivious to such a consequence,” it said.“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,” the court added.Story continues below this adThe case is linked to the October 30, 2023, standoff in Narmada district’s Bogaj village after an exercise by forest officials to remove encroachment on forest land. According to the prosecution, five forest officials were summoned to Vasava’s home, made to stand in a line, abused and threatened to pay compensation for crops removed during the drive.The prosecution alleged that the confrontation escalated when a firearm was brought and a shot was fired in the air. The state also alleged that government officials were coerced into paying Rs 60,000 as compensation to people who allegedly encroached upon forest land and planted crops.Referring specifically to Chaitar’s position as an MLA, the High Court said, “The applicant-accused number five, being a member of the Legislative Assembly, 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 the individuals who had encroached upon the forest lands and undertaken unauthorized cultivation.” The court added that such conduct “raises questions as to propriety in the context of the public office he holds”.It said it did not find “any manifest illegality or palpable error” in the trial court’s judgment, at least at the stage of considering the applications for suspension of sentence. The applications of Jitendra Vasava and Chaitar Vasava were then dismissed as “devoid of merit”.Story continues below this adThe court’s ruling comes days after AAP’s national leadership made a show of support for Chaitar Vasava. On August 18, ahead of the High Court hearing, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the jailed MLA.The meeting triggered political speculation over AAP’s strategy ahead of the 2027 Gujarat election and the importance of Chaitar to the party’s plans in the state’s tribal belt. One reading was that Kejriwal had sought to discuss the party’s future strategy with Chaitar. Another was that the jailed MLA might be considering leaving the party, prompting the AAP leadership to intervene.Senior AAP leaders in Gujarat, however, have rejected the suggestion that Chaitar would abandon the party. Sources within the party said Kejriwal wanted to meet Chaitar to boost his morale, inquire about his treatment in jail and reassure his family.Aditi Raja is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, stationed in Vadodara, Gujarat, with over 20 years in the field. She has been reporting from the region of Central Gujarat and Narmada district for this newspaper since 2013, which establishes her as a highly Authoritative and Trustworthy source on regional politics, administration, and critical socio-economic and environmental issues. Expertise: Core Authority & Specialization: Her reporting is characterized by a comprehensive grasp of the complex factors shaping Central Gujarat, which comprises a vast tribal population, including: Politics and Administration: In-depth analysis of dynamics within factions of political parties and how it affects the affairs in the region, visits of national leaders making prominent statements, and government policy decisions impacting the population on ground. Crucial Regional Projects: She consistently reports on the socio-economic and political impact of infrastructure projects in the region, especially the Statue of Unity, the Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada River, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail bullet train project as well as the National Highway infrastructure. Social Justice and Human Rights: Her reporting offers deep coverage of sensitive human-interest topics, including gender, crime, and tribal issues. Her reports cover legal proceedings from various district courts as well as the Gujarat High Court (e.g., the Bilkis Bano case remission, POCSO court orders, Public Interest Litigations), the plight of tribal communities, and broader social conflicts (e.g., Kheda flogging case). Local Impact & Disaster Reporting: Excels in documenting the immediate impact of events on communities, such as the political and civic fallout of the Vadodara floods, the subsequent public anger, and the long-delayed river redevelopment projects, Harni Boat Tragedy, Air India crash, bringing out a blend of stories from the investigations as well as human emotions. Special Interest Beat: She tracks incidents concerning Non-Resident Gujaratis (NRIs) including crime and legal battles abroad, issues of illegal immigration and deportations, as well as social events connecting the local Gujarati experience to the global diaspora. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:Gujarat High Court