Cops oppose AAP MLA’s bail plea in MCOCA case

The Delhi Police on Wednesday opposed the bail plea of Uttam Nagar MLA Naresh Balyan in the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) case.

The Delhi Police alleged that Balyan was a facilitator in the organised crime syndicate. The AAP MLA was arrested in the case on December 4 whereas a court granted him bail in an extortion case.

The police urged Special Judge Kaveri Baweja to dismiss his bail plea. They stated that if bail was granted, Balyan could influence witnesses, destroy evidence and hamper the ongoing investigation.

“They have confessed that Naresh Balyan is a facilitator/conspirator in the organised crime syndicate of Kapil Sangwan and he has provided money to one of the members of the syndicate after commission of crime for expenses during evading his arrest,” special public prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh said.

Pratap further cited 16 FIRs lodged against the alleged syndicate members in various parts of Delhi and claimed it had created the havoc in society and has amassed huge illegal wealth. The police submitted that Balyan was an influential person in the locality.

“He may repeat the offence and built pressure on the witnesses. The potentiality of the accused to influence the witnesses, to destroy the evidences and to hamper the investigation, apprehension of jumping the bail and the provisions of law... the bail application of accused Naresh Balyan may please be dismissed,” he argued.

The prosecutor claimed the investigation was at a crucial stage and the co-accused persons had to be traced and arrested.

Balyan’s custody was also required to unearth the entire commission of organised crime and to find the trail of pecuniary gain obtained by Balyan and the syndicate members, he told the court.

The prosecution said Balyan, along with his absconding associates, was involved in the commission of organised crime, including extortion from businessmen.

The court will resume hearing arguments on Balyan’s bail application on January 9.