Seven member gang booked under MCOCA | Nagpur News

Nagpur: City police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against a seven-member gang allegedly involved in a series of violent crimes, including an attempt to murder a man during a birthday celebration at Kamal Chowk last month.According to police, the incident occurred around 2am on July 16 when complainant Ajay Chichkhede, 29, was celebrating his birthday with a friend at Shanichara Market under Pachpaoli police station area. The accused allegedly arrived as a group, picked a fight and attempted to kill Ajay and his friend.Police said one of the accused allegedly pulled out a firearm and fired at Chichkhede. The bullet, however, missed and hit the ground.Following Chichkhede’s complaint, Pachpaoli police registered a case against the accused under various provisions related to attempt to murder, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation and possession/use of a firearm.Accused have been identified as Jagdish Gokhale (27), Ankit alias Bittu Chaware (27), Nachiket alias Chhotu Bhanja Zade (19), Mayur alias Datara Aditya (22), Rakesh Bhure (19), Rahul Sirsath (23) and Chandrashekhar alias Chandu Paunikar (20).Police said Gokhale has been identified as the gang’s leader.Investigators said the seven accused have collectively been named in around 23 cases involving offences against persons and property registered at different police stations in Nagpur. Their alleged criminal activities include attempt to murder, robbery, theft, housebreaking, assault, indecent acts and possession of illegal weapons.Based on their criminal antecedents and the latest alleged attempt on Chichkhede’s life, police prepared a proposal seeking action under MCOCA. The proposal was forwarded through the DCP Zone III to senior authorities.