Vadodara AAP chief Ashok Oza arrested in rape case, family named in FIR
Synopsis
AAP's Vadodara city chief Ashok Oza has been arrested in a rape and blackmail case filed by a 40-year-old woman, with his son, wife and daughter also named in the FIR. It is the second criminal case against him in a week — the first involved alleged impersonation of an IB officer to threaten an AAP worker.
Key Takeaways
Ashok Oza , AAP's Vadodara city president, was arrested on 3 June following a rape complaint by a 40-year-old woman.
The FIR, filed at Kapurai police station , also names Oza's son Anand Oza , his wife and daughter.
The complainant alleges rape on multiple occasions, including in Mumbai hotel rooms, and blackmail using explicit recordings.
Police have secured four days' custody of the accused for further investigation.
This is the second case against Oza in a week — he was booked on 30 May for allegedly impersonating an IB officer.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Vadodara city president Ashok Oza was arrested on Wednesday, 3 June, after a 40-year-old woman filed a complaint accusing him of rape, criminal intimidation, and blackmail at the Kapurai police station. The arrest marks the second criminal case registered against the AAP leader within a week.
Allegations in the FIR
According to investigators, the complainant alleged she came into contact with Oza several years ago after he reportedly offered to help her family by promising employment for her husband. Police said the woman claimed Oza later began exploiting her and raped her on multiple occasions at different locations.
The FIR states she was initially called to his residence, allegedly intoxicated, and assaulted. She further alleged she was taken to other cities, including Mumbai, where the assaults continued in hotel rooms. Police said the complainant has alleged that Oza recorded explicit photographs and videos and used the material to blackmail and threaten her into silence.
Family members also named
The complaint also names Oza's son, Anand Oza, whom the woman has accused of rape while allegedly threatening to circulate compromising material. Oza's wife and daughter have additionally been named for allegedly threatening and harassing the complainant.
What the police said
Vadodara Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3) Abhishek Gupta said, ‘The accused has been arrested, and the police have obtained four days' custody for further investigation. According to the complainant, she was continuously threatened that if she approached anyone or reported the matter, her photographs and videos would be made public. The evidence submitted by the complainant is being examined, and the investigation is continuing.'
A police official separately stated, ‘The woman filed a complaint of rape, threatening and blackmailing, following which we arrested Oza.' Investigators are collecting further evidence linked to the allegations.
Second case in a week
The arrest comes just days after Oza was booked in a separate matter by the Anand Cyber Crime Police. On 30 May, Oza and an associate, Nitin Dobariya, were arrested for allegedly impersonating an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer and threatening an AAP worker over the phone.
That case surfaced after allegations circulated on social media that AAP workers in Gujarat were receiving threatening ‘verification' calls from people claiming to be IB officials. Police traced the number used in one such call to Dobariya and alleged the call was made at Oza's behest, with the caller falsely claiming to be from the ‘Karelibaug IB office'. Investigators have linked the impersonation to internal party rivalries, stating no IB officer or government agency was involved.
Oza and Dobariya were booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and intimidation, alongside Section 66D of the Information Technology Act. Police said investigation in both cases is continuing, and further action will depend on forensic and digital evidence yet to be examined.
Point of View
Where the party has struggled to convert its 2022 vote share into organisational depth. The impersonation case already pointed to internal turf wars; this far graver rape complaint will test whether the party moves swiftly on disciplinary action or waits for the legal process. The allegations remain to be tested in court, but the political cost of delay is immediate.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ashok Oza and why was he arrested?
Ashok Oza is the Aam Aadmi Party's Vadodara city president. He was arrested on 3 June after a 40-year-old woman filed a complaint at Kapurai police station accusing him of rape, criminal intimidation, and blackmail.
What are the specific allegations in the FIR?
The complainant has alleged that Oza promised employment for her husband, then raped her on multiple occasions at his residence and at hotels in cities including Mumbai. She has also alleged he recorded explicit material and used it to blackmail her.
Are other family members named in the case?
Yes. Oza's son Anand Oza has been accused of rape, while his wife and daughter have been named for allegedly threatening and harassing the complainant.
What was the earlier case against Ashok Oza?
On 30 May, Oza and an associate Nitin Dobariya were arrested by the Anand Cyber Crime Police for allegedly impersonating an Intelligence Bureau officer to threaten an AAP worker. They were booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66D of the IT Act.
What happens next in the investigation?
Police have obtained four days' custody of Oza for further investigation. Investigators are examining the evidence submitted by the complainant, including alleged photographs and videos, and the probe in both cases is continuing.
