Delhi HC Orders Virtual Appearance Of 2 Accused In MCOCA Case Involving Naresh Balyan

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed the virtual presence of Rohit and Sachin Chikara, the two accused in a case under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act involving AAP MLA Naresh Balyan.

Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri instructed the jail superintendent to ensure that both accused appear via video conferencing on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

The court was addressing the Delhi Police’s plea to transfer the case of all accused from a trial court in Dwarka to the special MP/MLA court in Rouse Avenue.

The police argued that while applications for co-accused Balyan were being heard in the special court for MPs and MLAs in Rouse Avenue, similar applications for other accused were being dealt with in the designated MCOCA court in Dwarka. To streamline the proceedings, the police proposed that the special court dealing with MPs and MLAs should handle the cases of all accused.

Justice Ohri noted that while a notice on the transfer plea had been served to the two accused, neither of them appeared in court. The counsel for another accused, Ritik, expressed no objection to the transfer of the case to the special court.

The case stems from the arrest of Naresh Balyan, who was apprehended by the Delhi Police on December 4, 2024, in connection with an alleged organised crime under MCOCA. This arrest occurred on the same day Balyan was granted bail in a separate extortion case.

The special MP/MLA court had previously denied the police’s request for further remand of Balyan, sending him to judicial custody until January 9, 2025.

Court’s decision to proceed with the virtual appearance of the accused aims to ensure efficient handling of the case while addressing logistical concerns. The next hearing is set for Thursday, where further proceedings will be discussed.

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