MCOCA slapped against accused in Manoj Mhatre murder case

Police have invoked charges under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the 19 accused allegedly involved in the murder of a Congress leader in Bhiwandi.

"The accused were already charged under the provisions of the IPC and the Arms Act for the murder of Congress leader Manoj Mhatre and now we have added provisions of MCOCA," Thane Additional CP (Crime) Manoj Ranade confirmed today.

"The alleged accused indulged in organised crime and let loose a reign of terror in the locality for political and personal gains and this has been revealed during the probe," the order by Thane police stated.

DCP Crime Parag Manere said of the 19 accused allegedly involved in the crime, seven have been arrested and hunt is on for the remaining suspects.

Congress leader of the house in Bhiwandi-Nizampur civic body Manoj Mhatre was shot dead on February 14 over political rivalry.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)