Delhi High Court Grants Custody Parole to Gangster Neeraj Bawania for Wife's Surgery

The Delhi High Court on Monday granted custody parole to jailed gangster Neeraj Bawania, allowing him to visit his ailing wife and provide consent for her critical surgery. Neeraj, involved in a 2015 jail van murder case, is considered a high-risk prisoner.

Justice Manoj Jain approved the custody parole for Neeraj Sehrawat, also known as Bawania, for July 1, from 10 am to 4 pm. His wife is in the Intensive Care Unit at Mehta Hospital, Pandav Nagar, Delhi. The Jail Superintendent was instructed to ensure adequate safety measures during his visit.

The court ruled that Bawania can only interact with his wife and the attending doctor during the parole, considering the prosecution's argument of potential gang conflicts. His request for bail was denied based on the risk he poses to society and himself.

Neeraj Bawania's legal team, led by Senior Advocate N Hariharan, requested a two-day custody parole, later agreeing to a one-day term, citing an urgent need for someone to sign consent forms for his wife's surgery.

The high court had earlier issued a notice regarding Bawania's interim bail plea intended for six weeks to care for his spouse. Bawania, jailed for ten years, argued the delay in trial affects his family, with his wife deprived of his care.

APP Lakshay Khanna opposed, reminding the court of the dismissal of Bawania's regular bail plea in January. Bawania's criminal history, with charges in 28 cases, factored into the decision.

(With inputs from agencies.)