State Govt Mulls Invoking MCOCA Against All Accused in Pune Hooch Tragedy, says Minister Yogesh Kadam

Pune, 26th June 2026: The Maharashtra government is considering invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against all those accused in the hooch tragedy in Dapodi-Hadapsar area that claimed 22 lives, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam informed the Legislative Council on Thursday.

Kadam also announced that the families of all 22 victims would receive financial assistance within the next seven days.

The issue was raised by BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, who pointed out that compensation had so far been disbursed to the families of only nine of the 22 victims.

Participating in the discussion, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab alleged that attempts were being made to shield a police sub-inspector allegedly responsible for lapses in the case.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve demanded that the alleged masterminds — Yogesh Wankhede, Karnail Singh Virka and Radheshyam Prajapati — be booked under relevant provisions of the BNS. He also alleged that 215 litres of methanol had been transported from Bhiwandi to Pune using forged Aadhaar cards for use in the illicit liquor operation. Danve further demanded the suspension of all officials found responsible for the incident.

Shiv Sena MLC Sachin Ahir urged the government to provide a government job to one member of each bereaved family.

Replying to the discussion, Kadam said several officials, including the senior police inspector, assistant police inspector and police sub-inspector attached to the local police station, as well as an inspector from the State Excise Department, had been suspended in connection with the case.

He said cases of culpable homicide not amounting to murder had already been registered against the accused officials. Since the case appeared to involve organised criminal activity, the government was examining the legal provisions required to invoke MCOCA against the alleged kingpins, he added.