New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the virtual presence from jail of two accused persons in a case under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) involving AAP’s Uttam Nagar MLA Naresh Balyan.
Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri directed the jail superintendent to ensure the presence of Rohit and Sachin Chikara through video-conferencing on Dec 19, as it wants to hear their stand on the plea filed by police seeking the clubbing of cases.
HC was dealing with Delhi Police’s plea to transfer the case of all the accused persons from a trial court in Dwarka to the special MP/MLA court in Rouse Avenue. “The jail superintendent shall ensure their presence through VC tomorrow (Thursday),” HC ordered.
According to police, while applications seeking remand for Balyan were being heard by a special MP/MLA court in Rouse Avenue, similar applications relating to the others were being listed before the MCOCA court in Dwarka, creating logistical challenges. It was submitted the special court dealing with MPs/MLAs should deal with all the accused. Justice Ohri said though a notice on the transfer plea was stated to be served on the two accused, no one appeared on their behalf. The counsel appearing for another co-accused, Ritik, said he had no objection if the case was sent to the special court.
Delhi Police arrested Balyan in the MCOCA case on Dec 4. The special MP/MLA court previously denied police further remand of the MLA and sent him to judicial custody till Jan 9, 2025. TNN
