MCOCA case: Delhi HC seeks police stand on bail plea of AAP MLA Naresh Balyan

AAP MLA Naresh Balyan being produced before Rouse Avenue Court in connection with an extortion case, in New Delhi. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

“Issue notice. Let status report be filed before the next date of hearing,” Justice Vikas Mahajan said.

Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, appearing for the lawmaker, urged the court to release him on the grounds that Assembly elections were approaching and his wife was contesting.

“Give me interim bail at least. I am not a criminal,” he said.

Mr. Pahwa also argued that there was “no shred of evidence” against Mr. Balyan.

Counsel for police sought time to file status report following which the court listed the matter for hearing on January 23.

On January 15, a trial court had denied bail to Mr. Balyan.

Before the trial court, Delhi police had opposed Mr. Balyan’s bail application, claiming the investigation was at a crucial stage in the case, and if granted bail, the accused could hamper the probe.

Mr. Balyan was arrested in the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) case on December 4, 2024, the day a trial court granted him bail in an alleged extortion case.