AAP MLA Gopal Italia alleges FIR lapses in multiple criminal cases in Gujarat

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Visavadar, Gopal Italia, on Monday alleged irregularities in the handling of several criminal cases in Gujarat, claiming that procedural lapses in FIRs and investigations have benefited accused persons in multiple high-profile incidents.

In a video message, Italia referred to cases including the Bagdana incident, the Payal Goti case, the Morbi bridge tragedy, the Dahod MNREGA scam, and the Palanpur murder, alleging that errors in police documentation had weakened cases against accused individuals.

Citing the FIR related to an incident in Pipaliya village of Sihor taluka in Bhavnagar district on February 28, Italia said the police named the son of an elderly assault victim as the complainant instead of the victim himself. According to him, “If the elderly victim had been made the complainant, the accused would not have received bail till now, because the elderly victim has been unconscious for the past one year.” He further alleged that the time of the incident was incorrectly recorded in the FIR, and that the accused were released from jail early due to these procedural decisions.

Italia also referred to the Payal Goti case in Amreli, stating that after the incident, police documents later claimed that the names of the accused had appeared in the FIR “by mistake.”

He said, “The cyber crime police inspector wrote that there was no evidence against the other three accused either, and that their names had also come into the FIR by mistake.” According to Italia, this raised questions about whether a crime had occurred or whether a false FIR had been registered, leading to defamation.

Referring to the Palanpur murder case, Italia alleged that police did not include sections related to conspiracy, despite what he described as the involvement of a group of around 20 people. “Only one person’s name was written in the FIR,” he said, adding that fewer sections were applied, which could benefit the accused during trial.

Italia further alleged that in the Dahod MNREGA scam, key details were omitted from the FIR, including the names of agencies involved, accused individuals, and government officials. He said that only charges related to breach of trust and cheating were registered, and no further action had followed.

He also referred to the issue of fake GST bills worth ₹2,000 crore, alleging that those involved were similarly not proceeded against.

In his statement, Italia claimed that such lapses amounted to what he described as a “discount” being given to accused persons through paperwork. “Complete care is taken to ensure there is no punishment, the guilty are released, bail is granted quickly, and no preventive action is taken,” he said, adding that, according to him, similar errors could be found in FIRs across the state.

Italia concluded by urging the public to remain cautious and alert, alleging that inaccurate documentation in certain cases could also contribute to social tensions.

There has been no official response so far from the state government or the police authorities to the allegations raised by the MLA.