The Delhi High Court has mandated the virtual appearance of two accused, Rohit and Sachin Chikara, from jail in an ongoing case under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), which involves Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Naresh Balyan. The directive was issued by Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, who instructed the jail superintendent to facilitate their video-conferencing presence on December 19.
This judicial order aligns with the Delhi police’s request to consolidate the case proceedings. The police have been seeking to transfer all related hearings from a trial court in Dwarka to a special court designated for Members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies at Rouse Avenue. The police argued that while remand applications for co-accused Balyan were being considered at the special MP/MLA court, proceedings for other accused were being held at the designated MCOCA court in Dwarka.
Justice Ohri highlighted the need for consistent handling of the case, noting that despite notice being served on the two accused, there was no representation on their behalf in court. Meanwhile, counsel for another accused, Ritik, expressed no objections to transferring the case to the special court.
The case against MLA Naresh Balyan has been a point of significant legal contention. Balyan was arrested on December 4, the same day he received bail in a separate alleged extortion case. Subsequent proceedings in the special MP/MLA court resulted in a denial of further police remand and his judicial custody being extended until January 9, 2025.
