Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Vadodara city president Ashok Ozha has found himself at the centre of multiple controversies in recent months, ranging from a fake Intelligence Bureau (IB) call scandal to allegations of cheating, criminal intimidation, and sexual exploitation. The developments have drawn significant attention in Gujarat’s political circles, particularly as some of the cases involve complaints from individuals associated with the party itself.
Fake IB call case turns against AAP’s own leader
The most politically significant controversy emerged from allegations that AAP workers and office-bearers in Gujarat were receiving threatening phone calls from individuals claiming to be officers of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). Senior AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Durgesh Pathak, publicly raised concerns over the calls and questioned whether government agencies were being misused to target opposition workers.
The issue gained prominence after AAP leaders alleged that party workers were being contacted from a specific mobile number by a person identifying himself as an IB officer. Arvind Kejriwal himself claimed that he had called the number and that the caller disconnected after learning his identity. The episode was projected as an instance of alleged political surveillance and intimidation.
However, the police investigation took an unexpected turn. Following a complaint filed by an AAP worker in Anand, the Anand Cyber Crime Police traced the controversial phone number to a local resident, Nitin Dobariya. During questioning, Dobariya allegedly revealed that he had made the calls on the instructions of Ashok Ozha and had falsely introduced himself as an IB officer on several occasions.
According to the investigation, the alleged fake IB-call operation was linked not to any government agency but to internal factionalism within the Aam Aadmi Party. Investigators reportedly believe that the calls were part of an effort to exert pressure on certain party leaders and influence internal organisational dynamics. The development transformed what began as allegations against government agencies into a controversy involving one of AAP’s own senior office-bearers.
Notably, Ashok Ozha is considered a prominent figure within AAP’s Gujarat unit and has frequently been seen alongside top party leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwant Mann, Manish Sisodia, Gopal Italia, Isudan Gadhvi, and other senior functionaries.
Woman accuses Ozha of cheating her out of Rs 20 Lakh
Amid the fallout from the fake IB-call controversy, another complaint surfaced against Ashok Ozha. A woman from Vadodara submitted a written representation to the Police Commissioner, accusing Ozha of cheating, breach of trust, and criminal intimidation.
According to the complainant, she had developed family-like relations with Ozha and his wife while living in the same residential building. She alleged that Ozha offered to help her purchase a house belonging to a person residing abroad. Under the pretext of documentation procedures and related expenses, he allegedly collected approximately ₹20 lakh from her in multiple instalments.
The woman claimed that when the promised property transaction failed to materialise, and she sought the return of her money, Ozha allegedly began threatening her instead of refunding the amount. She further alleged that threats were issued regarding the kidnapping of her nine-year-old son if she continued demanding repayment.
According to the complaint, Ozha also attempted to leverage his political position and influence within the Aam Aadmi Party to pressure her. The woman additionally alleged that inappropriate demands were made when she insisted on the return of her money.
The complainant later reportedly contacted the overseas property owner directly and was informed that no money had been received on his behalf. This strengthened her suspicion that she had been defrauded, following which she approached the police.
Earlier Sexual Exploitation and Blackmail Allegations
Even before the latest cheating complaint surfaced, Ashok Ozha and his son Anand Ozha had faced serious allegations from a woman office-bearer associated with the Aam Aadmi Party.
In her complaint, the woman accused both father and son of rape, blackmail, and prolonged sexual exploitation. She alleged that Ashok Ozha initially established contact by promising to help her husband secure employment. According to the complaint, he later invited her to his residence, made her consume alcohol, and established physical relations with her while secretly recording the encounter.
The woman alleged that the video was subsequently used to blackmail her into repeated sexual relations at various hotels and other locations. She further claimed that Anand Ozha later used the same video to threaten her and sexually exploit her as well.
The complaint also alleged that when she informed Ashok Ozha’s wife about the matter, she was threatened and told to stay away. According to the complainant, pressure was also exerted through other family members.
Ashok Ozha has denied all allegations. In a written submission to the police, he claimed that he had merely provided accommodation and financial assistance to the woman on humanitarian grounds. He alleged that she was demanding ₹20 lakh in exchange for vacating the property and had threatened to implicate him in a false sexual harassment case if her demands were not met.
