Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has directed officials to invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against gangs involved in the illegal manufacture and sale of gutka and other banned tobacco products. This move aims to treat such activities as serious organised crimes affecting public health, rather than mere regulatory violations, due to the sophisticated nature of the illegal trade.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has directed officials to invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against gangs involved in the illegal manufacture and sale of gutka and other banned tobacco products. This move aims to treat such activities as serious organised crimes affecting public health, rather than mere regulatory violations, due to the sophisticated nature of the illegal trade.
The Supreme Court, hearing pleas on the Shiv Sena split, observed that a political party retains control over its legislature wing and its valid decisions must prevail, but also advocated for granting 'elbow room' to elected representatives for political decisions if a majority 'genuinely disagree' with party directions.
The Maharashtra government has issued a circular directing authorities to invoke the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against individuals, gangs, and organisations repeatedly involved in cattle smuggling.
The Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) 2026 in Maharashtra has been postponed following a raid in Bhiwandi, Thane, where individuals were found with questions matching the actual exam paper. The Maharashtra State Council of Examination (MSCE) confirmed the breach and initiated a thorough investigation, registering a criminal case. The postponement aims to ensure transparency and allow law enforcement to probe the malpractice racket.
Delhi Police has invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against an alleged multi-state crime syndicate led by Nasir Hafiz Khan, who is accused of numerous robberies and cheating cases. The action follows an investigation into a 2025 robbery, revealing Khan's extensive criminal history and previous MCOCA booking.
Police have granted permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' event in Pune, but with 30 stringent conditions, including prohibitions on 'objectionable' banners and directives to avoid hurting religious sentiments.
An accused in the devastating 2011 Mumbai serial bomb blasts has been granted bail by a special MCOCA court, primarily due to his prolonged incarceration of nearly 15 years and the principle of parity with co-accused.
Over 130 Indian nationals, including Kailash Manasarovar Yatra pilgrims and tourists, are missing or stranded in Nepal following devastating flash floods that have cut off central districts and disrupted communication links. Indian states and the embassy in Kathmandu have launched helplines to assist those affected.
The Maharashtra government is considering invoking the stringent MCOCA law against those accused in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) question paper leak case. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse informed the assembly that three arrests have been made, and a Special Investigation Team is probing the matter. The government also plans to form a committee to explore online modes for conducting state-level examinations to prevent future leaks.
The Maharashtra government has constituted a high-level committee to address road repairs, traffic congestion and management issues in the rapidly expanding Chakan industrial belt in Pune district, and set up a mechanism for time-bound redressal of industrial grievances.
Police in Navi Mumbai have arrested four individuals, including a jeweller, and invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with three chain-snatching incidents.
Police in Latur, India, have registered seven cases related to noise pollution against organisers of Ambedkar Jayanti processions for violating noise pollution norms.
A BJP leader claims that the TMC in West Bengal is heading towards a split similar to the one witnessed in Maharashtra, citing internal contradictions and growing dissatisfaction among leaders.
Police in Beed, Maharashtra, arrested a wanted gang leader, Ashish Shayamrao Athawale, after he allegedly opened fire inside a beer shop. Athawale, who was wanted under MCOCA, was apprehended after a chase through the city.
A Thane court acquitted two men accused of robbery under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), citing a lack of substantial evidence linking them to the crime.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has conducted a nationwide crackdown on wildlife trafficking, seizing over 440 endangered animals and 15 kg of ivory, and arresting 33 individuals involved in organised crime syndicates.
Delhi Police's Crime Branch has arrested two alleged members of the Tillu Tajpuria gang, Vishal Pandit and Deepanshu, in Outer Delhi. The arrests, which included the seizure of illegal firearms and a car, revealed their involvement in gathering intelligence on the rival Gogi gang and their connection to the ongoing gang war, intensified by Tillu Tajpuria's killing in Tihar jail.
Why the industry's public position changed is difficult to say. What the developments did establish, though, is that ethanol-blended petrol has become one of the country's most politically and commercially sensitive policy issues.
Delhi Police have arrested Kusum, an alleged kingpin of a multi-state drug syndicate, under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Kusum had been absconding and was declared a proclaimed offender in connection with an NDPS case.
A stray dog bit at least 40 people in Kaij town, Beed district, Maharashtra, leading to a rush for anti-rabies vaccinations and heightened concerns about stray animal control.
Holding that it was not the Centre alone, but states also have the power to enact laws to tackle insurgency, the Supreme Court upheld the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
The West Bengal government plans to introduce two new bills in the Assembly to address public disorder, vandalism, and attacks on police and public servants. One bill will amend the existing Public Order Act, 1972, while the other, titled the Public Safety Control and Anti-Social Activity Bill, will comprehensively strengthen public safety measures. These legislative changes aim to curb incidents of violence and allow for compensation recovery from offenders.
Mumbai police have filed a 1624-page chargesheet against 17 accused in connection with the firing incident at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence. The chargesheet was presented in a special MCOCA court, detailing the involvement of 15 arrested individuals and two wanted suspects linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
A special court in Mumbai has denied bail to an accused in the Baba Siddique murder case, citing his role in harbouring the shooters as supported by evidence. The court noted his involvement in the organised crime syndicate and conspiracy related to the murder.
A Delhi court has ordered the framing of charges against Sukesh Chandrashekar and 20 others under MCOCA and other offences related to extortion and organised crime.
Mumbai police have filed a chargesheet against 17 accused in the Rohit Shetty house firing case, revealing the motive was to establish gang supremacy.
A Delhi court has ordered the framing of charges against actress Jacqueline Fernandez, Sukesh Chandrashekhar, and others in connection with a Rs 200-crore money laundering case. The court also ordered charges against Chandrashekhar and others for offences including those under MCOCA in a separate case.
Jailed gangster Ravi Pujari has been arrested by Thane Police in connection with a 2017 extortion and firing case. He was produced before a special MCOCA court and remanded in police custody until March 27.
A key accused in the Rohit Shetty house firing case has been arrested in Uttar Pradesh, bringing the total number of arrests to 14. The arrest was made with the assistance of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force.
The dramatic development marked the culmination of a revolt that began with allegations of forged signatures on a letter proposing a Leader of Opposition and snowballed into an open challenge to the party leadership following the TMC's defeat at the hands of the BJP in the assembly elections.
A history-sheeter, wanted in connection with a 2023 attempted murder and extortion case involving an organised crime syndicate, was arrested at Mumbai's international airport after arriving from Dubai.
Jamco Interiors, a global supplier of aircraft cabin systems, has opened a Centre of Excellence (COE) in Pune. This strategic move aims to meet the increasing demand for advanced cabin interiors in India's rapidly growing commercial aviation market and leverage local engineering talent for global aerospace programmes.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids across Maharashtra and Gujarat as part of a money laundering investigation against Mohammad Salim Dola, an alleged drug trafficker associated with the Dawood Ibrahim gang.
The Delhi High Court has denied bail to Leena Paulose in a Rs 200 crore extortion case involving her husband, Sukesh Chandrasekhar, but granted her reprieve in a related money laundering case.
A month after losing power in West Bengal and facing a rebellion by 58 MLAs, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) confronts an unprecedented challenge to Mamata Banerjee's absolute authority, raising questions about the party's survival and future.
A coordinated international operation, 'Operation Hard Ball', led to the arrest of 24 alleged members and associates of three India-based criminal syndicates, including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, across the US, Canada, and Europe.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids across Maharashtra and Gujarat targeting Mohammad Salim Dola, a recently extradited drug trafficker with alleged ties to Dawood Ibrahim, as part of a money laundering investigation.
The Mumbai Police have requested the custody of gangster Anmol Bishnoi, younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, who was arrested by the NIA after being deported from the US. He is wanted in connection with several major crimes in Mumbai, including the killing of an NCP leader and a firing incident outside actor Salman Khan's residence.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over a probe from Andhra Pradesh police concerning an alleged extremist network. Twelve suspects were arrested across several states for their links to banned terror organisations like AQIS and ISIS, involved in radicalisation and recruitment through online platforms.
