Gujarat AAP Leaders Granted Bail After Over 100 Days in Botad Rioting Case
The Botad District and Sessions Court has granted bail to seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders who were incarcerated in connection with a case of rioting and attempt to murder. This development comes more than 100 days after their arrest following violent clashes in Hadadad village of Botad district in October last year.
Key Figures Released on Bail
Among the seven individuals granted bail are two senior state leaders of the AAP, Raju Karpada and Pravin Ram. The other five leaders include Rameshbhai Mer, Hansrajbhai Bhalala, Vipulbhai alias Kamleshbhai Hakabhai Hariyani, Vipulbhai Makwana, and Jitendrabhai Govindiya. According to an AAP spokesperson, they are scheduled to be released on Sunday.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the AAP confirmed the bail order dated January 31. The party expressed relief at the court's decision, highlighting the prolonged detention of its members.
Political Reactions and Allegations
Isudan Gadhvi, the Gujarat chief of AAP, commented on the bail, stating, "Truth always prevails." He accused the ruling BJP of jailing those who opposed price-cutting practices rather than addressing the actual perpetrators. Gadhvi drew a parallel between the BJP's actions and historical atrocities, alleging that the party committed haste-driven injustices similar to the Jallianwala Bagh incident.
He further claimed that the BJP's actions had sparked anger among millions of farmers, farm laborers, workers, and cattle-rearers in Gujarat. Gadhvi noted that along with Karpada and Ram, other farmer leaders and a large number of farmers were also jailed, with the last seven leaders now receiving bail.
Background of the Hadadad Violence Case
The case stems from a violent conflict that erupted on the evening of October 12, 2025, in Hadadad village, Botad. The incident involved AAP workers, farmers, and police, leading to stone-pelting, destruction of police vehicles, lathicharge, and teargas shelling.
An FIR was filed in the early hours of October 13 at the Paliyad police station, based on a complaint by Inspector PD Vanda on behalf of the State. A total of 68 persons, including AAP leaders, party workers, and farmers, were booked under various charges:
- Attempt to murder
- Criminal conspiracy
- Unlawful assembly
- Rioting
- Assaulting a public servant
- Voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant
- Voluntarily causing grievous hurt
- Destruction of public property
- Violation of a notification promulgated by a public servant
Subsequent Legal Developments and Transfers
Following the FIR, Raju Karpada and Pravin Ram went underground before appearing publicly in Ahmedabad on October 16, where they were arrested. In November 2025, the accused were transferred to different jails:
- 38 accused, including Karpada and Ram, were moved to Rajkot jail.
- 15 others were transferred to Amreli Jail.
- 15 remained in Bhavnagar Jail.
During this period, two additional FIRs were filed against Raju Karpada and the AAP social media team in November 2025, while Karpada was still in prison.
Additional FIRs and Social Media Controversy
The first additional FIR, filed on November 1, was based on a complaint by Bhavnagar District Jail Superintendent DD Prajapati. It booked Raju Mera Karpada and the AAP social media team under BNS sections for:
- Promoting enmity between groups
- Forgery
- Using forged record as genuine
- Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment
Prajapati stated that he became aware of a video published on social media on October 29, in which Karpada urged people to attend a Kisan Mahapanchayat organized by AAP in Surendranagar. When questioned, Karpada allegedly admitted to making the video after the Hadadad violence and sending it to the party's social media team.
The second FIR, also filed on November 1, was based on a complaint by Bhavnagar District Jail Jailer RT Solanki. It booked unknown persons handling the social media accounts of Raju Karpada and Pravin Ram for:
- Defamation under BNS sections
- Identity theft under the Information Technology Act
Solanki alleged that posts were being uploaded on the Facebook handles of Karpada and Ram even though both were in judicial custody since October 20. The FIR claimed that those controlling these handles made it appear as if the undertrial prisoners were posting, thereby defaming the jail administration and misleading the public.
The bail granted to the seven AAP leaders marks a significant turn in this high-profile case, which has drawn attention to political tensions and legal battles in Gujarat. The developments continue to unfold as the parties involved navigate the judicial process.
