Court accepts application of MCOCA in Malegaon blast case

MUMBAI: A special court today said the application of provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the Malegaon blast case by the Maharashtra police was valid.

After perusing the chargesheet, special MCOCA judge Y D Shinde said prima facie there was evidence to invoke MCOCA in the case.

The court had not taken cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Tuesday since lawyers of the accused argued that the application of sections of MCOCA on the accused was invalid since the proper procedure had not been followed.

The over 4,000-page chargesheet had been filed by the ATS against 14 accused in the case charging them under MCOCA, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Indian Penal Code (IPC), Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act.

The September 29 blast in Malegaon claimed six lives and injured over 70.

The next hearing of the case will be on February 12 when the judicial custody of the 11 arrested accused ends.