Nashik : The city police, under the guidance of Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik, have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the Arjun Pival gang operating in the Nashik Road area.
Based on the complaint filed by Pagare’s associate, the Nashik Road police had registered an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against 14 people for murder. A total of 16 accused have so far been arrested in connection with the case and the police are searching for seven other absconding suspects.
“The action comes amid the police’s intensified efforts to maintain law and order,” ACP (crime) Sandeep Mitke said. Investigators said that disputes had reportedly emerged among the accused and Pagare had frequent clashes with some of them. A thorough police investigation into the murder uncovered a deep-rooted conspiracy involving planning, the shooting, procurement and transportation of illegal firearms, and post-crime cover-ups. Following a review of the evidence, previous criminal records, individual roles of gang members, and organised crime linkages, the MCOCA provisions were sanctioned by Karnik. Sumit and his elder brother Sunny were arrested three years ago in the MD trafficking case with several others.
He was released on bail just a few months before he was shot dead by unidentified assailants. Pagare had been in judicial custody for nearly three years in connection with a mephedrone (MD) trafficking case.