Latest news with #MaharashtraControlofOrganisedCrimesAct
Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
History sheeter on bail commits 11 robberies
MUMBAI: A 29-year-old man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly committing 11 robberies and house break-ins while out on bail in a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) case involving 20 serious crimes, including attempt to murder, according to the Mumbai police's crime branch. The accused, Shiva Armogan Shetty, was earlier arrested in the MCOCA case in 2022. He was charged with committing 20 serious crimes, including attempted murder, house break-ins, robberies, and assault using arms. A court granted him bail in January this year on the condition that he record his attendance every week at the police station. However, Shetty allegedly stopped visiting the police station in February and also moved out of Kanjurmarg, where he used to live with his wife, said an officer from the crime branch. The crime branch then started searching for him and managed to track him down to Kalwa based on technical evidence and information gathered after speaking to several people related to him. Shetty and his wife were living in a rented house in Kalwa, the officer added. After interrogation, Shetty allegedly confessed that he had committed 11 more robberies and house break-ins in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Mira Bhayandar and Palghar after getting bail. The police verified the incidents and handed over the accused to the Kharghar police in Navi Mumbai for further action, as three of the cases were registered in Kharghar. According to the police, Shetty's modus operandi was to wear good clothes and enter a building by claiming he was visiting his relatives. Once he got access to the premises, he would target locked flats, break open the doors and make away with valuables. The 20 serious crimes registered against Shetty earlier included eight cases in Kanjurmarg, two at Park Site in Vikhroli, three in Kurla and one each in Sion, MIDC Bhandup and Vikhroli. According to the police, he was notorious in his vicinity. Considering his criminal activities and an Arms Act case against him, stringent provisions of MCOCA were invoked in the case against him three years ago, the officer said.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
HC for SOPs to combat gang related crime in Punjab, Haryana
The Punjab and Haryana high court (HC) has ordered formulation of SOPs to combat gang related crimes in Punjab and Haryana. 'It is baffling to see that in spite of the widespread nature of this malady, no legislative framework to combat the same exists in the states of Punjab and Haryana. Addressing a similar situation in Maharashtra about two decades ago, the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act, 1999, was promulgated,' the HC bench of justice HS Brar said while issuing a slew of directions. The court was dealing with a petition from a Haryana resident, wherein the gaps in the manner of probe into complaints about threats from a gangster was highlighted by the petitioner. It was in April that HC had directed both the states to spell out measures being taken by them to deal with gangster culture. The court termed gang-related crime as 'fast spreading epidemic' and stressed that an unambiguous SOP is needed to be put in place to guide police officials into meaningfully helping the public. 'However, the same is lacking in both the states of Punjab and Haryana. First and foremost, it is of the utmost importance to protect and preserve the identity of the complainant. A citizen must not pay the price for speaking out against anti-social elements,' the court underlined. The court underlined that organised crime thrives on a culture of fear. 'Gangs instil a pervasive sense of threat to personal safety as well as property, which coerces individuals into compliance. This fear-driven submission further entrenches their control and creates a sense of helplessness in the citizenry,' it further said, adding that to break this vicious cycle environment must be created where people come forward to report such crimes.
Hindustan Times
28-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
8 years on, duo get life terms for murder during robbery attempt in Bhiwandi
THANE: Eight years after two men fatally stabbed a house owner and seriously injured his wife during a house burglary attempt in Bhiwandi, a special MCOCA court on Tuesday sentenced them to life imprisonment. The verdict followed a detailed investigation and examination of 12 witnesses. The complaint was filed by the 43-year-old injured, Sunita Suresh Gupta, while she was undergoing treatment in Bhiwandi Healthcare Hospital in 2017. According to the complaint, around 2.15am on January 25, 2017, Sunita and her husband, Suresh Gupta, were sleeping in their grocery shop located below their residence in Gurudev Compound in Sonale. Two unknown men forcibly entered the shop by breaking the shutter and demanded money. Seeing Suresh resist and Sunita shout, one of the intruders stabbed her husband in the abdomen and then attacked her on the left side of her chest before fleeing. Suresh was taken to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead. Sunita was initially treated at the same hospital but later shifted to Bhiwandi Healthcare Hospital. The investigation was carried out by then senior police inspector of Bhiwandi City and later forwarded to Bhiwandi Rural police station. Both accused were arrested and prosecuted under sections 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), and 460 (house trespass) of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA). During the trial, Sanjay More, special public prosecutor, presented a compelling case by examining 12 witnesses whose testimonies, supported by strong evidence, led additional sessions judge Amit Shete to convict the accused under multiple sections of the IPC as well as the MCOCA. The court sentenced both the convicts to life imprisonment for murder, accompanied by a fine of ₹50,000 each and an additional two years of simple imprisonment in case of default. They were also sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for attempt to murder with a fine of ₹20,000 and one-year imprisonment in case of default.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
High court prescribes SOPs for Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh to deal with organised crime
Chandigarh: Due to absence of any legislation in Haryana and Punjab to deal with organised criminal activities, especially to combat the epidemic of gang-sponsored violence and harassment, the Punjab and Haryana high court has prescribed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for both the states to deal with such cases. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The HC has set a deadline of two months for Punjab, Haryana and UT of Chandigarh to formulate these SOPs. "It is baffling to see that in spite of the widespread nature of this malady, no legislative framework to combat the same exists in the states of Punjab and Haryana. Addressing a similar situation in Maharashtra about two decades ago, the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act, 1999 was promulgated. Other states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan have also enacted similar legislations. In absence of a statute to address the same and in view of the discussion above, this court deems it appropriate to issue the directions with respect to organised criminal activities," the HC observed while suggesting SOPs. In a detailed order on the issue, Justice Harpreet Singh Brar suggested that an FIR be registered promptly on receipt of information regarding gang-related activities and a probe of such cases be conducted by officers of the rank of DSP. "Set up a toll-free helpline number, email ID and online portal of reporting of gang-related crimes. District-wise units of AGTF and STF headed by SP or DSP rank officers in the states of Punjab and Haryana, respectively, must be established. A state-level headquarter under the aegis of an officer of the level of ADGP must also be established," Justice Brar suggested in his order released on Tuesday. The bench also directed that an ADGP shall also conduct periodic meetings with the district heads to collate information and monitor their functioning. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The ADPGs must also meet their counterparts in neighbouring states as well as the central agencies every three months and share intelligence acquired. The HC said the proceeds of crime, acquired by indulging in illegal gang-related activities, must be investigated and these may be attached under Section 107 of the BNSS. The local police officers of district level AGTF/STF units must be trained and sensitised appropriately to deal with cases pertaining to organised criminal syndicates, the court added. Justice Brar passed these orders while hearing a plea filed by a person, who had received a ransom call from the member of Lawrence Bishnoi gang demanding Rs 2 crore. The petitioner had approached the HC seeking directions to protect his life and liberty. After examining the reports of MHA regarding the threat to the petitioner, the HC directed the Haryana police to take action and provide protection to the petitioner and his family. HC Observations "Organised crime thrives on a culture of fear. Gangs instil a pervasive sense of threat to personal safety as well as property, which coerces individuals into compliance. This fear-driven submission further entrenches their control and creates a sense of helplessness in the citizenry. Breaking this vicious cycle demands a commitment to creation of a secure environment, where the public feels empowered to report crimes without fear of retaliation. " "Gangster culture, particularly in the form of extortion rackets, has emerged as a significant threat to the social order in today's time, fostering an environment of fear and lawlessness. The glorification of violence, the normalization of criminal behaviour, and the recruitment of vulnerable youth into gangs not only perpetuate crime but erode public trust in the justice system." "A firm hand, with stringent law enforcement and legal measures, is essential to dismantling extortion rackets, deterring future criminal enterprises and safeguarding the moral fabric of society."
