Maharashtra May Invoke MCOCA in Cases of Crimes Against Women: Ajit Pawar
Pune, 5th July 2025: The Maharashtra government is considering applying the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to cases involving crimes against women, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced on Saturday.
Speaking at an event in Pune, Pawar said the proposal had been discussed in a recent cabinet meeting and the Law and Justice Department has been directed to examine its feasibility.
Pawar emphasized the government’s strong stance on ensuring law and order for women’s safety. “There is a continuous trial process involving the accused, investigation, and evidence collection. Until final conviction, the government is exploring whether provisions like MCOCA can be applied to the accused,” he explained. Pawar added that the cabinet, including the Chief Minister and other colleagues, supported the move in principle and had instructed the legal department to study its implementation.
Pawar also appealed for restraint in public reactions following incidents of crimes against women, pointing out that intense emotions often lead to criticism of the administration and police before the facts are fully known. He cited the recent Kondhwa case as an example, where initial public outrage was later contradicted by police findings.
Regarding the Kondhwa incident, Pawar noted that police investigations revealed the young woman involved had been in regular contact with the accused for several days and had invited him to her residence. “There was no evidence of any spray attack as was initially reported. However, distorted information had reached the public, so police commissioners were directed to hold a press conference to clarify the facts,” Pawar said.
He further stated that instructions had been given to investigate why the woman filed a complaint in the first place, to fully understand the circumstances behind the case.
