Judge recuses herself from Balyan bail plea case

New Delhi: Even as she dismissed the recusal plea of former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy matter, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on Monday opted out of hearing the bail plea of former AAP MLA Naresh Balyan.He is seeking bail in a case under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) and has challenged the rejection of his plea by the trial court.Justice Sharma recused herself from hearing it and said the matter should be placed before another bench on April 23.The former Uttam Nagar legislator was rearrested by the crime branch in Dec 2024 under MCOCA, minutes after he secured relief in an extortion case. Following the grant of bail by the trial court in the extortion matter, police arrested him immediately on the court premises in connection with the organised crime case.Balyan was first arrested on Nov 30, 2024, after audio clips, allegedly featuring him in a conversation with gangster Kapil Sangwan, surfaced.The clips allegedly indicated plans to extort money from builders and other people in Delhi, said police who claim Balyan is part of a larger criminal syndicate operating in Delhi and adjoining areas, allegedly involved in organised crimes such as extortion and arms trafficking.The chargesheet describes the network as a structured group. Four accused — Vijay alias Kalu, Sahil alias Poli, Balyan, and Jyoti Prakash alias Baba — were named in a supplementary chargesheet filed by police.Opposing his bail plea earlier, police argued that the investigation is at a crucial stage and his release could hamper the probe.Balyan and his supporters have said the case politically motivated and the charges fabricated.