The arrest of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan in connection with an alleged extortion case has raised concerns and confusion, particularly over the lack of official information about the arrest.
Advocate Sujan Singh, representing Balyan, expressed his frustration at the situation, stating that he had not received any updates from the authorities regarding his client’s detention. Singh made his statement outside the Crime Branch office in Delhi, where he had arrived in an attempt to meet his client.
Singh noted that police personnel were divided in their statements, with some claiming that Balyan had been arrested, while others denied it.
Despite his requests for access to Balyan or for a copy of the First Information Report (FIR), the advocate reported that his attempts were blocked. The lack of transparency in the process has left Singh perplexed, with no official details being provided to him.
The incident involves a case dating back to the previous year, where Balyan was allegedly involved in a conversation with a well-known gangster, Kapil Sangwan, also referred to as Nandu.
According to police, an audio clip surfaced which revealed discussions between the MLA and the gangster about extorting money from local businessmen. Following the investigation, Balyan was arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch.
Currently, Balyan is under interrogation by the police, and further investigations into the case are ongoing. The arrest has raised significant political and legal questions, especially considering the nature of the allegations.
While the case is being investigated, the AAP MLA’s legal team is seeking further clarification on the situation, emphasising the need for transparency.
The BJP has also weighed in on the matter, with leader Gaurav Bhatia making strong allegations against Balyan. Bhatia accused the AAP MLA of being involved in a money extortion scheme, facilitated through his connections with gangsters.
He went as far as claiming that gangsters are among the main supporters of the AAP, adding fuel to the political controversy surrounding the incident.
Bhatia expressed his concerns to the media, stating that the audio clip, which allegedly features Balyan speaking to a gangster, highlights the MLA’s involvement in criminal activity.
He also linked Balyan’s actions to the party’s leadership, questioning whether Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of AAP, was complicit in supporting such extortion activities.
Bhatia pointed out that the role of an elected representative is to serve the public and uphold the Constitution, not to engage in criminal activities, especially when such actions put innocent citizens at risk.
In the wake of the arrest and the BJP's accusations, the AAP has sought to defend itself. The party has been critical of the central government, particularly regarding the law and order situation in Delhi.
AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, have frequently raised concerns about increasing gang violence and extortion, which have reportedly been affecting local businesses.
Kejriwal has gone as far as comparing the current rise in criminal activity to the underworld’s hold over Mumbai in the 1990s, a period marked by violent gang wars.
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