Delhi High Court rejects bail for ex-MLA Naresh Balyan in MCOCA case

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to grant bail to former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator Naresh Balyan in a case registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The decision came from a bench of Justice Manoj Jain, who dismissed the bail plea, saying, "We are dismissing it."

Mr. Balyan, who represented the Uttam Nagar constituency, was arrested on December 4, 2024, under MCOCA, a stringent law aimed at tackling organised crime. His arrest occurred on the same day a trial court granted him bail in an alleged extortion case. However, the trial court later denied bail in the MCOCA case on January 15, 2025.

In his plea before the High Court, Mr. Balyan contended that there was "no shred of evidence" against him and that the case was "completely frivolous." He also argued that he had been falsely implicated and had no connection with any criminal syndicate.

According to the prosecution, Mr. Balyan acted as a "facilitator" for an organised crime syndicate operating across Delhi. The prosecutor cited 16 FIRs lodged against alleged members of the syndicate in various parts of the city. It was claimed that the syndicate had created havoc in society and had amassed illegal wealth through extortion and other criminal activities.

The High Court's dismissal of the bail plea means that Mr. Balyan will remain in judicial custody while the investigation and trial proceed. Under MCOCA, bail is granted only under exceptional circumstances, as the law presumes the accused to be a threat to society if released.

This case is part of broader legal scrutiny of political figures in Delhi. Mr. Balyan, a former member of the AAP, was elected to the Delhi Legislative Assembly in 2020. His involvement in a case under MCOCA has drawn attention to the intersection of politics and organised crime in the national capital region.

The legal process will continue, with Mr. Balyan having the option to appeal the High Court's decision to the Supreme Court. The next steps in the case will be determined by the trial court, which is yet to frame charges.

This development underscores the judiciary's firm stance on organised crime, particularly when public representatives are accused of facilitating illegal activities. The details of the evidence presented by the prosecution will be examined in the trial, where Mr. Balyan will have the opportunity to defend himself.