MCOCA Invoked Against 9 in Pune Toxic Liquor Deaths

Pune: The Maharashtra Crime Investigation Department (CID) has invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against nine accused allegedly involved in the organised manufacture and distribution of methanol-laced illicit country liquor that claimed 21 lives in Pune’s Hadapsar and Dapodi-Fugewadi areas.

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The stringent action has been taken against the alleged gang leader Datta alias Bhau Bhivrao Londhe and eight other accused after investigators found evidence of an organised criminal network operating an illegal liquor business for financial gain.

Those booked under MCOCA include Datta alias Bhau Londhe (Uruli Kanchan), Akash Jadhav (Hadapsar), Yogesh Vhankade (Mundhwa), Radheshyam Prajapati (Uruli Kanchan), Kalpesh Agrawal (Khadki), Aryan Dhotre (Wadarwadi), Abhishek Arun Chaube, Arun Jagdamba Chaube and Ankit Arun Chaube (all from Navi Mumbai).

According to the investigation, four people died in Hadapsar, while 17 others lost their lives in the Dapodi-Fugewadi area after allegedly consuming toxic country liquor contaminated with methanol. A criminal case was initially registered at Hadapsar Police Station, following which the probe was transferred to the CID.

During the investigation, officials found that the alleged kingpin had established an organised syndicate involved in the production and large-scale distribution of illicit liquor for financial profit. Investigators also stated that several accused had previous criminal records and continued their illegal activities despite earlier preventive action.

Considering the organised nature of the operation and the repeated criminal involvement of the accused, the CID submitted a proposal to invoke MCOCA to dismantle the network completely.

The proposal, prepared after an investigation led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Shyamrao Kale, was forwarded through Superintendent of Police Shafaqat Amna to Special Inspector General of Police (West Region) Sudhir Hiremath, who granted approval after legal scrutiny.

The MCOCA action is expected to strengthen the prosecution’s case and intensify efforts to dismantle organised illicit liquor syndicates operating in Maharashtra.

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