AAP MLA Naresh Balyan Arrested By Delhi Police Under Stringent MCOCA After Getting Bail In Extortion Case

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan was rearrested on Wednesday, 4th December, under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), hours after being granted bail in an extortion case.

Balyan, who represents Delhi’s Uttam Nagar Assembly constituency, was taken into custody by the Delhi Police Crime Branch, though details of the MCOCA case remain undisclosed.

“We will challenge the grounds of arrest under MCOCA. The police are not aware of the FIR... As per law, this arrest is totally illegal...,” Balyan’s counsel, N C Sharma was quoted as saying by NDTV.

Earlier in the day, the MLA had been granted bail in an extortion case by Additional Chief Metropolitan.

The court ordered his release on a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of the same amount.

This followed the expiry of his three-day police custody.

Balyan’s troubles began on Sunday when he was summoned for questioning at the Crime Branch office in RK Puram, South Delhi, and subsequently arrested in connection with an extortion case.

The allegations involve an audio recording purportedly featuring Balyan and gangster Kapil Sangwan, who is reportedly abroad.

The clip allegedly details discussions about collecting extortion money from businessmen, according to a police officer.

The arrest has triggered political clashes.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Balyan of involvement in extortion and criticised AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal for not taking action against him.

In response, the ruling AAP defended Balyan, calling the arrest “illegal.”

Balyan also rejected the BJP’s allegations, stating he would take legal action against those spreading “lies” about him.

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