NEW DELHI: A Rouse Avenue court on Saturday granted six-day custody of Jyoti Prakash alias Baba to Delhi Police in a case registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The case is linked to an organised crime syndicate allegedly run by gangster Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu, officials said.
Jyoti Prakash, the real brother of gangster Kapil Sangwan, was arrested on Friday from Tihar Jail and produced before the court. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja granted six days’ police custody, and he will be presented before the court again on April 4 after his remand expires. The same case has also led to the arrest of former MLA Naresh Balyan, who remains in judicial custody.
Delhi Police sought 10 days’ custody of Jyoti Prakash, arguing that he has been managing the Nandu Gang’s affairs from inside the jail. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Akhand Pratap Singh told the court that his custody was necessary to uncover the gang’s modus operandi and identify other members. Police also informed the court that Jyoti Prakash is named in two extortion cases, and a charge sheet has already been taken cognizance of.
Advocate Rohit Kumar Dalal, representing the accused, opposed the custody request, arguing that Jyoti Prakash has already been in judicial custody for the last 10 years. He also stated that his client is not a co-accused with Sahil alias Poli and Vijay alias Kalu, whose confessional statements were recorded under Section 18 of MCOCA.
On March 27, the court had allowed Delhi Police to interrogate Jyoti Prakash in judicial custody while he was lodged in Mandoli Jail. The police claimed that, with Nandu out of the country, Jyoti Prakash was still overseeing the gang’s activities from prison. The police had included Jyoti Prakash’s name in the proposal for the MCOCA FIR. His involvement also surfaced in confessions by Sahil alias Poli and Vijay alias Kalu.
On March 1, the court had granted Delhi Police an additional 60 days to complete the investigation against Naresh Balyan, who was arrested on December 4, 2024. This extension period will expire on May 4, police said. Meanwhile, the court has already taken cognizance of the charge sheet against accused Ritik alias Peter, while a supplementary charge sheet has been filed against Rohit alias Anna and Sachin Chikara.
