Delhi election 2015: Cops sniff hand of AAP candidate Naresh Balyan in liquor ‘smuggling’

NEW DELHI: Delhi Police on Tuesday announced that the 8,352 bottles of liquor seized from a warehouse in Uttam Nagar on Friday had been smuggled into the capital by Aam Aadmi Party candidate Naresh Balyan, allegedly to induce people to vote for him in the assembly election.

Police commissioner B S Bassi said on Tuesday that the investigation had indicated Balyan's role in the matter and confirmed that he has been served notice to join the probe. This development comes at a time when AAP is already battling charges of illegal funding and may create fresh trouble for the party.

Police said Balyan may face arrest as he has not been cooperating with the investigation. The Election Commission is likely to take notice of the facts of the case and take appropriate action, police said. Balyan, though, could not be contacted for a comment as his phone was found switched off throughout the day. AAP has denied all allegations and called it a "BJP conspiracy".

Joint commissioner of police (crime) Ravindra Yadav said that Balyan was served notice to appear on Tuesday but he sought time till the election which is on Saturday. He has now been asked to join the investigation by Wednesday.

"A team led by additional commissioner of police Ashok Chand and ACP K P S Malhotra conducted the probe and questioned several people. It was found that the warehouse was being used by Balyan and the liquor belonged to him," Yadav said.

The probe has indicated that the total consignment comprised 2,000 boxes of liquor and the seized chunk was just 25 per cent of the quantity ordered.