Arrest Warrants Against 2 Gujarat MLAs

A Rajkot court has issued arrest warrants against BJP MLA Dr CJ Chavda and Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar for failing to attend multiple hearings in a defamation case. The court has directed them to appear on March 21.

The defamation case was filed by BJP leader Nitin Bhardwaj after Chavda (who was part of the Congress at the time), Parmar, and Congress leader Sukhram Rathwa accused former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Bhardwaj of involvement in a ₹500 crore scam. At the time, Chavda was a Congress MLA; he later joined the BJP. The allegations pertained to alleged irregularities in the rezoning of Sahara India-owned land on Kuwadwa Road in Rajkot.

In response, Rupani filed a defamation suit in the Gandhinagar court, while Bhardwaj pursued legal action in the Rajkot court against Chavda, Parmar, Rathwa, and Rathwa’s personal assistant. Following a settlement, Rupani withdrew his complaint from the Gandhinagar court. However, Bhardwaj’s case in Rajkot remains ongoing.

During the Rajkot court proceedings, Chavda and Parmar were absent for two consecutive hearings despite being issued notices to appear. Consequently, the court issued arrest warrants against both MLAs on Thursday.

Reacting to the development, Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar stated, “We were present at two hearings. The court may have issued the warrant due to a misunderstanding. Our legal team will handle the matter. Since a settlement has already been reached, the case in Rajkot is also expected to be withdrawn soon.”

Chavda, who has jumped ship to the BJP since the initial cases were filed, also downplayed the development, clarifying, “Cases were filed in both Gandhinagar and Rajkot courts, but they have been settled. This is not an arrest warrant but a directive to appear before the court on March 21.”

The defamation case in Rajkot remains pending, while legal proceedings continue regarding the alleged scam accusations.