New Delhi (India), January 20: The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Delhi Police regarding the bail plea of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan, who is facing charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA). Balyan had earlier been denied bail by a trial court in the case.
Justice Vikas Mahajan’s bench has scheduled the matter for a detailed hearing on January 23, 2025.
Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa, representing Balyan, strongly contested the arrest, arguing that no offence had been committed and there was no evidence linking his client to the charges. Pahwa emphasized that Balyan, a sitting MLA, should not be denied bail, asserting, “I am a sitting MLA, not a criminal. Denying bail would frustrate the entire process. At the very least, I should be allowed to participate in elections and support my wife.”
Balyan was arrested on December 4 in connection with the MCOCA case, although he had previously been granted bail in an extortion case.
In its order on January 15, the trial court, led by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, cited substantial evidence connecting Balyan to an organized crime syndicate. The court noted that Balyan appeared to be actively involved in unlawful activities as part of the group.
The Delhi Police had opposed Balyan’s bail plea during a January 8 hearing, alleging that he acted as a “facilitator” for the syndicate led by Kapil Sangwan. Special Public Prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh argued that Balyan had helped fund one of the syndicate members and assisted in evading arrest.
The prosecution also raised concerns that granting bail could allow Balyan to influence witnesses, tamper with evidence, or impede the investigation. The police have filed 16 FIRs against members of Sangwan’s syndicate, accusing them of extortion, violence, and other criminal activities across Delhi.