In a stern warning to Cow smugglers, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has declared that the state will invoke stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against those involved in cow slaughter and trafficking.
Passed in 1999, MCOCA is a special law that combat organised crime, mafia related activities, and the operations of the underworld that was predominantly active in the 1990s in Maharashtra. Security agencies invoke MCOCA when a group repeatedly engages in crimes like extortion, murder, kidnapping, drug trafficking, or illegal businesses for financial gain. MCOCA is stringent as compared to regular laws as it allows stricter punishments, extended police custody, and tougher bail conditions.
Addressing the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Maharashtra CM Fadnavis said the state government is closely monitoring cow smuggling cases. He added that the state government will take strict action against those repeatedly engaging in the crime.
Strict action will be taken under the MCOC Act against those involved in Gau Hatya (cow slaughter).
गोहत्येसंदर्भात वारंवार गुन्हे दाखल झाल्यास संबंधितांवर महाराष्ट्र संघटित गुन्हेगारी नियंत्रण कायद्यांतर्गत कारवाई करण्यात येईल.(विधानसभा, मुंबई | दि. 20 मार्च 2025)… pic.twitter.com/D8wmyZPR5X
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) March 20, 2025
Incidentally, the issue was raised in the assembly by NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap. Through a calling-attention notice, the NCP MLA highlighted the case of Atiq Qureshi who is a repeat offender in cow trafficking cases.
Informing the state assembly, Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar stated that Qureshi is an accused in 20 cases of cow smuggling in Ahilyanagar district. While he was arrested on 20th January, he was released on bail on 1st March.
Handling the charge of Home Department, Fadnavis intervened for a moment to assure that they will instruct the police to invoke MCOCA charges against habitual offenders like Qureshi.
A day earlier, CM Fadnavis had issued a strong warning against Nagpur rioters, stating that harshest punishment will be awarded to all those who attacked police personnel.
In the Assembly, he had said, “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.”
