Strict MCOCA laws would be invoked against cow smugglers, says Devendra Fadnavis

Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday announced that the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) will be invoked against those involved in cow slaughter and trafficking.

Speaking in the Assembly, the CM said the state government is closely monitoring cow smuggling cases and will take strict action against those repeatedly engaging in the crime.

MCOCA, 1999, is a special law enacted to combat organised crime, mafia activities, and underworld operations in Maharashtra. It is invoked when a group repeatedly engages in crimes like extortion, murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, or illegal businesses for financial gain. Unlike regular laws, MCOCA allows stricter punishments, extended police custody, and tougher bail conditions.

The issue was raised in the assembly through a calling-attention notice by NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap, who pointed out the case of Atiq Qureshi, a repeat offender in cow trafficking. Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar informed the House that Qureshi has 20 cases of cow smuggling registered against him in Ahilyanagar district. He was arrested on January 20 but released on bail on March 1.

Fadnavis, who also handles the Home department, intervened and assured that police would be instructed to press MCOCA charges against habitual offenders like Qureshi.

In a separate but related development, Fadnavis, on Wednesday had issued a strong warning against rioters in Nagpur, vowing the harshest punishment for those who attacked police personnel. "Those who assaulted police during the Nagpur arson will be dug out from their graves. Attacks on police are unpardonable, and we will not spare them," he had said in the Assembly.