AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava detained with supporters in Gujarat

“The preventive detention was made owing to law and order concerns as the Chaitar was going to appear before the police without notice,” Dediapada police station’s officer Prakash Pandya said.

On December 17, 2024, Chaitar Vasava, a tribal leader and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, along with nearly 100 supporters, was detained by Gujarat police in Narmada district while en route to surrender at a Bharuch police station.

The surrender was in connection with a case registered against him for entering an industrial site unauthorizedly during a rescue operation.

Incident Background

• FIR Details:
  • Vasava was booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for charges including obstruction of public servants, threat of injury to public servants, criminal trespass, and wrongful restraint.
  • The case stems from his unauthorized entry into the premises of an industrial unit at Ankleshwar GIDC (Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation) on December 3, 2024, following a boiler explosion that killed four workers.
  • The entry reportedly disrupted rescue operations underway at the blast site.

Preventive Detention

• According to Prakash Pandya, Inspector of Dediapada Police Station:
  • Vasava and his supporters were detained at Navagam to prevent potential law and order issues arising from his unnotified appearance at the Ankleshwar police station.
  • The detention was deemed a precautionary measure rather than an arrest.

Political Context

Chaitar Vasava has been a vocal tribal leader and critic of industrial policies affecting marginalized communities. His detention has drawn attention to growing tensions between the government and activists over industrial safety and tribal rights.

The case highlights the delicate balance between public safety and the right to protest, especially following the boiler explosion that raised questions about industrial accountability.