Why is MCOCA not invoked for all contract killing cases: HC to state

Hearing a petition filed by a former journalist, the Bombay high court (HC) on Friday directed the state government to file an affidavit stating why the stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) are not applied to grave criminal cases involving contract killing.

Hearing a petition filed by a former journalist, the Bombay high court (HC) on Friday directed the state government to file an affidavit stating why the stringent provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) are not applied to grave criminal cases involving contract killing.

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The division bench comprising justice BH Marlapalle and justice UD Salvi said: “If organised syndicates are not involved, from where would middle class youth (contract killers) get revolvers?”

Apart from Nimbalkar murder case and Lakhan bhaiyya fake encounter case, referred to by the petitioner Ketan Tirodkar, the judges mentioned the recent killing of journalist J Dey.

On pointing out that a proposal from the investigating officer is required to invoke the MCOCA, the judges said: “Then why are you being selective, you should do it as a matter of routine for every case of organised crime.” HTC