Maharashtra's MCOCA Amendment: Aiming to Curb Illegal Substance Trade

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis plans to amend the MCOCA to target habitual suppliers and distributors of banned substances like gutkha. The current law requires an element of threat for invocation. The amendment aims to strengthen legal provisions to effectively curb illegal substance trade across the state.

The Maharashtra government, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is gearing up to amend the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). This amendment seeks to target habitual suppliers and distributors involved in the trade of banned substances such as gutkha.

Fadnavis highlighted the need for legal reforms, citing the limitations of the current MCOCA provisions, which demand an element of threat or harm for its application. In response to inquiries from Congress MLA Aslam Shaikh, Fadnavis assured that a proposal has been moved to the home department to amend the law for more effective enforcement.

Highlighting the pervasive issue, Fadnavis provided data on numerous cases filed across the state, concerning illegal supply and sale of substances. The amendments aim to enhance legal provisions to enforce the gutkha ban more stringently under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

(With inputs from agencies.)