Undertrial urges HC to set up more MCOCA courts

An undertrial has moved the Bombay High Court urging for a direction to the concerned authorities to set up adequate number of special courts to hear cases filed under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in Thane, Navi Mumbai, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. The petitioner, Lakhan Naik, contended that there was only one MCOCA court in nearby Thane which was also hearing cases from other districts such as Ratnagiri, Navi Mumbai and Raigad. As a result, the cases had piled up in the court. If each of these districts has separate special MCOCA court, then the cases would be heard by them respectively and would not pile up in the Thane court. This will ensure speedy disposal of the cases the petition, filed through jail, contended. The petition argued that state government had not constituted the review committee to look into the cases filed against accused. Under the existing laws and Supreme Court guidelines, such committees should be regularly appointed to review the cases filed under MCOCA.