Wed Jun 25 18:58:56 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Delhi High Court has requested a response from the Delhi Police regarding the bail application of former AAP MLA Naresh Balyan, who is currently detained under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Balyan’s counsel has requested interim bail due to health concerns, prompting the court to request a medical report and nominal roll from the jail superintendent. The Delhi Police argues against bail, citing strict MCOCA provisions and alleging Balyan’s involvement as a facilitator in an organized crime syndicate involved in extortion and other unlawful activities. Balyan’s previous bail requests have been denied by a trial court, which cited the ongoing investigation and the potential for Balyan to obstruct it.

**News Article:**

**Delhi High Court Seeks Police Response on Bail Plea of Former AAP MLA Detained Under MCOCA**

**New Delhi, June 26, 2025** – The Delhi High Court has requested a response from the Delhi Police concerning the bail plea of former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA, Naresh Balyan, who is currently in custody under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Balyan’s legal team argued for interim bail citing health concerns. The High Court has subsequently directed the jail superintendent to provide a medical status report and Balyan’s nominal roll.

Senior advocate Sunil Dalal, representing Balyan, stated that his client was arrested on December 4, 2024, the same day he was granted bail in a separate extortion case, and has remained in custody since. He is accused of being a “facilitator” within an organized crime syndicate.

The Delhi Police are opposing bail, arguing that MCOCA provisions impose strict conditions and require the accused to prove their innocence, which they claim Balyan has not done. The police maintain there is “continuous unlawful activity” supporting the invocation of MCOCA and opposed previous bail requests.

A trial court previously denied Balyan bail on May 27, 2025, after he withdrew a prior High Court request. Earlier, in January 2025, the trial court also rejected his release, citing concerns that he could obstruct the ongoing investigation and referring to 16 FIRs against syndicate members. The prosecutor had stated that the alleged syndicate had “created havoc in the society and amassed huge illegal wealth”. Balyan was even refused custody parole to “guide” his wife during the February 2025 Assembly elections.

The case highlights the stringent conditions associated with MCOCA and the ongoing legal battles faced by the former MLA. The High Court’s decision on the bail plea is pending the response from the Delhi Police.

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