Pune: The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against a nine-member gang involved in manufacturing, transporting and selling illicit liquor in the district.The action follows an investigation into a case registered at Hadapsar police station in connection with the spurious liquor tragedy that claimed 21 lives in Phugewadi, Dapodi and Hadapsar between May 26 and 28.According to the CID, Dattatray alias Bhau Bhimrao Londhe of Uruli Kanchan headed the gang. The other suspects are Akash Deepak Jadhav of Hadapsar, Yogesh Rajendra Inamdar of Mundhwa, Radheshyam Hariram Prajapati of Uruli Kanchan, Kalyan Ashok Agrawal of Khadki, Aryan Sanjeev Dhotre of Wadarwadi, and Abhishek Arun Choube, Arun Jagdamba Choube and Ankit Arun Choube, all residents of Navi Mumbai. The CID alleged that the suspects formed an organised crime syndicate and earned illegal financial gains through the manufacture, transportation and sale of illicit country liquor.The CID stated that the gang’s activities had spread fear among the public and adversely affected law and order in Pune district. It added that despite previous criminal cases and preventive action, the gang members had not abandoned their alleged criminal activities, necessitating action under the MCOCA.Superintendent of police (CID) Shafqat Amna and deputy superintendent of police (CID) Shamrao Kale had submitted the proposal to invoke MCOCA against the gang. Special inspector general of police (crime west) Sudhir Hiremath of state CID approved it.
