MCOCA invoked against Soumya’s killers: Police tells Court

Delhi Police informed a court in New Delhi about invoking of stringent provisions of the MCOCA against five persons arrested in connection with the murder of TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan.

Delhi Police on Wednesday informed a court in New Delhi about invoking of stringent provisions of the MCOCA against five persons arrested in connection with the murder of TV journalist Soumya Vishwanathan.

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The Investigating Officer (IO) submitted the requisite documents in a sealed envelope before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kiran Bansal in a chamber hearing.

Meanwhile, key accused Ravi Kapoor, who was produced in the court after four-day-long custodial interrogation, was sent to 14 days judicial custody in the case.

The provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) were invoked against Kapoor, Amit Shukla, Baljeet Malik, Vijay Kumar and Ajay Sethi, who were arrested in connection with the murders of Soumya and call centre employee Jigisha Ghosh, police said.

The invoking of harsher provisions of the MCOCA would give more time to police to investigate the case.

The accused will also not be eligible for bail for six months while an officer not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) will be the Investigating Officer of the case.

Earlier, fifth accused Ajay Sethi alias Malik, a resident of Faridabad in Haryana, was remanded to 14 days judicial custody in the case.