Tiger Shroff firing: MCOCA invoked against accused amid probe into wider criminal network

The Mumbai Crime Branch has invoked provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act MCOCA against all accused in the firing case involving Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff after obtaining approval from the competent authority on TuesdayAccording to police officials the stringent law has been added to the case registered on October 19 The move comes as investigators probe the alleged organised network behind the October 18 firing in Juhu including the procurement and transportation of firearms and the alleged roles of those involved in the conspiracyProbe into wider networkThe firing took place on October 18 when motorcycleborne assailants allegedly opened fire at Shroffrsquos car in Juhu The actor escaped unhurt while his driver and another person were reported injured The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branchrsquos AntiExtortion CellThe accused in the Tiger Shroff firing case is produced before the Esplanade court on October 21 PicsAshish RajePolice suspect that the attack involved a wider network responsible for arranging firearms transporting ammunition and coordinating the alleged shooters Investigators have also been examining the alleged role of Anil Pandit whom police have described as a key figure in the conspiracy and linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gangPossible reconnaissance of other actorsrsquo homesThe Crime Branch had earlier added Section 111 of the BNS which deals with organised crime Investigators have also been probing allegations that the residences of other Bollywood actors were surveyed as part of the planning to establish the possible intended targets and the extent of the alleged conspiracyThe investigation is continuing to establish the individual roles of the accused and the extent of the alleged criminal network The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutinyStringent provisions addedThe case was initially registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS relating to attempt to murder and common intention along with sections of the Arms ActAfter obtaining the required approval the Crime Branch added Sections 31ii 32 and 34 of MCOCA These provisions deal with punishment for organised crime conspiracy or assistance in committing such offences and membership of an organised crime syndicateThe offences carry stringent penalties including imprisonment that can extend to life and a minimum fine of R5 lakh depending on the provision invokedWhat MCOCA means for the caseWhen can MCOCA be invokedThe Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act 1999 is a stringent law aimed at tackling organised criminal activity by syndicates or gangs Among its requirements the law defines ldquocontinuing unlawful activityrdquo as cognisable offences punishable with imprisonment of three years or more allegedly undertaken as a member of or on behalf of an organised crime syndicate in respect of which more than one chargesheet has been filed before a competent court within the preceding 10 years and the court has taken cognisanceMCOCA on whose approvalThe Mumbai Crime Branch has added MCOCA provisions against all accused after obtaining approval from the competent authority on October 27 The move indicates that investigators are pursuing the alleged wider criminal network behind the firing rather than treating it solely as an isolated shootingMCOCA imposes additional restrictions on bail If the public prosecutor opposes bail the court must be satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing the accused is not guilty of the offence and is unlikely to commit an offence while on bailThe law also allows the investigation period before the filing of a chargesheet to be extended from 90 days to a maximum of 180 days subject to the Special Courtrsquos approval and the statutory requirementsWhat happens nextThe accused will face proceedings under the additional provisions before the designated Special Court Investigators will need to establish the alleged organisedcrime links and the individual roles of the accused through evidence Invoking MCOCA does not establish guilt The prosecution must prove its allegations in court