New Delhi, October 17 (H.S.): Arguments on the framing of charges against two accused, Vikas Gehlot and Vineeta, in the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) case linked to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Naresh Balyan concluded at Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday. Special Judge Prashant Kumar directed that arguments on the framing of charges against another accused, Manoj Yadav alias Kaira, be heard on November 5.

During the hearing, advocates Tanzim Hussain and Mohit Chadha, appearing for Gehlot and Vineeta, presented their arguments on the framing of charges. Submissions on behalf of both accused were made during the pre-lunch and post-lunch sessions.

Advocate Chirag Madan, appearing for Manoj Yadav alias Kaira through video conferencing, informed the court that his client was outside Delhi and, therefore, could not appear in person to present arguments. The court subsequently fixed November 5 for the hearing of arguments on his behalf.

On October 16, senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for Naresh Balyan, had presented arguments on the framing of charges. Balyan’s counsel also submitted a receipt for the payment of a fine of Rs 10,000 to the court. On October 1, the court had imposed the fine on Balyan for failing to present arguments on the framing of charges. Delhi Police had completed its arguments on the issue on August 8. The court has already declared two accused, Kapil Sangwan and Umed Singh, proclaimed offenders in the case.

Delhi Police filed the sixth supplementary chargesheet in the case on April 17. On January 24, the court took cognisance of the police’s fifth supplementary chargesheet against Manoj Yadav. It took cognisance of the chargesheet against Yadav alias Kaira under Sections 3 and 4 of MCOCA. The chargesheet identifies him as a member of an organised crime syndicate allegedly operated by Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu, who is currently absconding. The police investigation also found that several FIRs had been registered against Yadav in connection with alleged criminal activities.

According to Delhi Police, the case concerns alleged communications between Naresh Balyan and a gangster in 2023, following which an FIR was registered that year. Sangwan is described as a notorious gangster who has reportedly been living in the United Kingdom for the past five years. Both Sangwan and Balyan hail from Delhi’s Najafgarh area.

Sangwan has also been accused of masterminding the murder of Haryana-based politician Nafe Singh. He is also alleged to have masterminded the murders of Ballu Pehalwan and BJP leader Surender Matiyala. Balyan represented the Uttam Nagar Assembly constituency in 2015 and 2019.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar