“‘Raise your voice, face jail,” asserts AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal as he echoes the sentiments of the people of Delhi over rampant crime in the national capital, demanding accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah who has responsibility for Delhi’s law and order. The AAP Supremo called out Union Home Minister Amit Shah for shielding criminals while targeting victims.
Reacting to the arrest of AAP MLA Naresh Balyan, Arvind Kejriwal affirmed the move was a warning to Delhiites: challenge gangsters, and you’ll be jailed. He pointed out at Amit Shah’s inaction on rising crime, daring him to “arrest the real culprits instead of silencing voices against lawlessness.”
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has been vocal about the worsening law and order situation in Delhi. During a press conference, he highlighted that over the past two to three years, the condition has deteriorated significantly. “As a citizen of Delhi and someone who has served as its Chief Minister, I can tell you that people are deeply concerned,” he remarked.
The AAP Supremo emphasized that Delhi residents are living in constant fear. “They don’t know when or what might happen to them,” he said. He added that he had initially chosen to remain silent, hoping the situation would improve, as he believed this issue should not be politicized.
However, Arvind Kejriwal explained, “When the situation has worsened to the point where open gunfire occurs on Delhi’s streets, it feels as if gangsters have taken over the city. I could no longer stay silent and began questioning the state of law and order in Delhi.”
Arvind Kejriwal recounted a recent incident in Nangloi, where two individuals on motorcycles stopped outside a shop and began firing indiscriminately. “When I tried to visit Nangloi, the BJP workers blocked my way and prevented me from reaching the site,” he revealed.
Highlighting the growing climate of fear among Delhi’s businesspersons, the AAP Chief said, “Today, across Delhi, businessmen live in constant fear. They receive extortion calls, and if they refuse to pay, within days there is a shootout outside their shop. This is done to send a clear message: if you don’t comply, anything can happen to you.”
He further added, “Businesspersons in Delhi don’t even know where to turn for safety anymore. Yesterday, I visited Panchsheel Enclave, considered among Delhi’s poshest localities. There, a 64-year-old senior citizen was brutally murdered—stabbed repeatedly to death.”
Arvind Kejriwal expressed concern for Delhi’s elderly population, noting, “The city has many senior citizens, particularly those whose children have moved abroad for studies or work, leaving them to live alone. These elderly residents are now living in a constant state of fear.”
He expressed his concern over the safety of women in Delhi, stating, “Women in Delhi are living in an atmosphere of terror. Women face daily harassment, eve teasing, frequent incidents of abduction, and a disturbing rise in gang rape cases. They are forced to live under constant fear.”
He added, “Today, I am going to Tilak Nagar to meet two shopkeepers outside whose shops a shootout occurred. I thought raising these issues would lead to action.”
He further emphasized, “Matters related to Delhi’s education, healthcare, electricity, and water are under the jurisdiction of the elected Delhi government, run by the Aam Aadmi Party. But the safety of Delhi’s citizens and the law and order situation are directly under the control of the Union Home Ministry, led by Amit Shah.”
Arvind Kejriwal further stated, “I was hopeful that Amit Shah would take some action after I raised my issues. I hoped he would catch the rapists, apprehend the gangsters, and direct the police to ensure such incidents do not occur. I expected him to take strict and decisive steps to provide some relief to the people of Delhi.”
Arvind Kejriwal said, “Instead, what happened yesterday? I was attacked.” He explained, “While I was on a padyatra, a liquid was thrown at me. Thankfully, it was harmless, but it could have been harmful. Moreover, one of our MLAs was arrested yesterday.”
He continued, “The MLA’s fault was that he too had been a victim of such gangsters. He had been receiving extortion and other threatening calls from gangsters. Around 1.5 to 2 years ago, he received multiple calls, after which he formally lodged a written complaint with the Delhi Police stating that he was repeatedly receiving calls from a gangster named Kapil Sangwan, also known as ‘Nandu’. He wrote that he was being threatened, his family was being threatened, and he needed protection from them.”
Arvind Kejriwal shared details of the complaint lodged by the MLAs, addressing the Special Commissioner of Police, S. Dhaliwal. The subject of the complaint was titled: “Complaint against Shri Kapil Sangwan alias ‘Nandu’ of the Nandu gang and his brother for extending threats of life for the purpose of extortion.”
Arvind Kejriwal read out portions of the letter, in which the MLA recounted incidents that would deeply disturb anyone. The letter stated, “On 23rd May 2023, I received a WhatsApp call from two different mobile numbers from a person who introduced himself as Kapil Sangwan. And in the said call, he threatened me to follow his commands and dictates, failing which he would kill me and my family.”
Arvind Kejriwal further read out, “To instill serious fear in my mind, he even disclosed the whereabouts of my son, who is living abroad, and also disclosed the whereabouts of my other family members. Since then, he has called me around 35 to 40 times from the said mobile numbers for the purpose of threatening and extortion.”
The letter further read: “Kapil Sangwan, alias Nandu, further threatened that he has been making threats and extortion calls to his potential targets to extort money from them, for which he wants me to act as per his dictates and commands to collect money from his potential targets and hand it over to his men. Since I refused to do so and disconnected his phone, Kapil Sangwan, alias Nandu, has given WhatsApp calls to me a number of times and has been pressing for his above-mentioned illegal commands and dictates. He has finally conveyed in his last call that he has started extortion calls using my name as well.”
“In planning the extortion from his potential targets, Kapil Sangwan, alias Nandu, wants me to contact his potential targets to convey a message of extortion for the demand of money and to collect extortion money from his targets. He has also been threatening that if I further refuse to do so, he will instruct his gang members to eliminate me and my family,” Arvind Kejriwal read the letter out.
He further stated that despite these threats, the MLA made it clear in his complaint that he refused to follow the gangster’s illegal demands. The letter stated, “I have clearly refused to follow these illegal demands and have now decided to bring this matter to light in order to protect potential victims from his criminal acts.”
Arvind Kejriwal affirmed, “MLA Naresh Balyan is a victim of Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu. He has received numerous threats, and I’ve only read one of the letters. He has written multiple letters to the Delhi Police, urging them to take action as he is continuously facing threats.”
Arvind Kejriwal stated, “Instead of action being taken against Kapil Sangwan, the Delhi Police arrested Naresh Balyan yesterday. Yesterday, an attack was carried out on me. Our only ‘fault’ was that we were raising concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Delhi.”
Arvind Kejriwal questioned the central government, “What message has Amit Shah given to the people of Delhi by arresting Naresh Balyan?” He further said, “The message is clear: If you try to complain, if something happens to you and you file a complaint, not only could you be attacked, but you could also be arrested. Do not dare to complain—this is the message being sent.”
Arvind Kejriwal further said, “And what message has Amit Shah given to the gangsters? That ‘I am here to protect you, don’t worry. Any complaints will be disregarded; we will crush anyone who files a complaint. I am sitting in the Home Ministry to protect you.’”
The AAP Supremo continued, “Who will protect the people then? Where will they go? Who will they complain to? I want to tell Amit Shah: if you have the courage, arrest these gangsters and show us. Every child in Delhi knows which gangsters are operating here. If you have the courage, arrest those gangsters. Arrest those who are committing murders in Delhi, rapes and roaming freely.”
Arvind Kejriwal concluded his statement by calling for accountability from the Central Government and Home Minister Amit Shah: “Will attacking me or arresting my MLA make Delhi’s women safer? Will attacking me or arresting my MLA make Delhi’s businesspersons secure? Will attacking me or arresting my MLA make Delhi’s citizens or senior citizens feel safe? The people of Delhi now expect concrete action from you, Amit Shah.”
Information as per MLA Naresh Balyan submitted complaint copies to the Delhi Police
MLA Naresh Balyan has reported being the victim of severe threats and extortion by Kapil Sangwan, alias Nandu, leader of the notorious Nandu Gang. On May 23, 2023, Naresh Balyan received WhatsApp calls from international numbers where Kapil Sangwan introduced himself and issued death threats. Kapil Sangwan demanded that Naresh Balyan comply with his illegal commands, including acting as a middleman to collect extortion money from potential targets.
To instill fear, Kapil Sangwan disclosed sensitive information about Naresh Balyan’s family, including the whereabouts of his son living abroad, and threatened to harm them if his demands were not met. Since that date, Naresh Balyan has received approximately 35 to 40 times to enforce his illegal demands.
In subsequent threats, Kapil Sangwan claimed he had started using Naresh Balyan’s name to intimidate others, further pressuring him to comply. On December 19, 2023, Balyan filed another complaint, highlighting the escalation of threats. He reported being informed by acquaintances about Kapil Sangwan’s prior extortion activities targeting them. These individuals conveyed messages from Kapil Sangwan, warning that Naresh Balyan would be eliminated if he refused to comply. Kapil Sangwan allegedly stated that he has the backing of police officials and boasted about his ability to carry out threats without consequence.
Naresh Balyan also expressed concerns over surveillance around his home and office by suspicious individuals who appeared to be planning an attack. Neighbors reported observing these individuals gathering details about Naresh Balyan’s daily routine. As an MLA, Naresh Balyan frequently moves around his constituency, attending public events, which heightens his vulnerability. He also noted the risks to his family, who live alone and could be targeted in his absence.
Citing the imminent danger posed by these threats, Naresh Balyan has appealed to the police to take urgent legal action against Sangwan and his gang. He has requested enhanced security measures for himself and his family while urging that the investigation be kept confidential to prevent further risks. These incidents underscore Balyan’s position as a victim of organized criminal intimidation and extortion.
