Naresh Balyan, the AAP MLA from Uttam Nagar, was arrested by the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch after being summoned for questioning in connection with an extortion case. The arrest followed an investigation that uncovered an audio clip of a conversation between Balyan and gangster Kapil Sangwan, also known as Nandu, who is currently residing abroad.
The Delhi Police has alleged that the conversation involved discussions regarding extortion and the collection of ransom from businesses. Further interrogation is ongoing, officials confirmed.
AAP’s Allegations of Political Conspiracy
Reacting to the arrest, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh condemned the move, claiming that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was targeting Balyan and the AAP after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal raised concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in the city. In a video post on X, Singh accused the BJP of being nervous about Kejriwal’s statements and using the case as part of a larger conspiracy to harass the AAP leadership. Singh insisted that the charges against Balyan were baseless and claimed that Balyan had himself been a victim of extortion.
BJP Responds with Audio Evidence
On the other hand, Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva asserted that the audio clip provided clear evidence of Balyan’s involvement in an extortion racket with gangsters. Sachdeva claimed that Balyan had used the names of prominent individuals from Uttam Nagar to threaten and extort money from them. He added that the audio had been widely circulated on social media and suggested that the police were carrying out a thorough investigation.
Naresh Balyan Denies the Allegations
Earlier in the day, Naresh Balyan refuted the extortion allegations, calling them false and defamatory. He vowed to take legal action against those who spread the audio clip, claiming it was fabricated. In response to BJP leaders Gaurav Bhatia and Virendraa Sachdeva, who had played the audio at a press conference, Balyan insisted that he would be sending legal notices and registering FIRs against those responsible for the spread of the false clip.
BJP leaders had demanded that Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi’s CM Atishi take action against Balyan, calling for his resignation. Bhatia further claimed that if no action was taken, it would suggest that the extorted money was going to AAP leaders. Balyan dismissed these claims, asserting that those spreading lies about him would face legal consequences.
