MCOCA charges against Ravi Pujari, 15 others for extortion

Mumbai: The Thane police has pressed Maharashtra Control in Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) charges against fugitive gangsters Ravi Pujari, Suresh Pujari and 14 others who were allegedly involved in acts of extortion. The police has arrested 11 of the accused and produced them before a local court for proceedings under the MCOCA on Thursday. Two of the accused were allegedly hit men, according to the police.  

One of the wanted gangsters, Ravi Pujari, has a Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued by the Interpol against him, which warrants his arrest or detention globally. The Thane police has also approached the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to send a request to Interpol for issuing an RCN against fugitive Suresh Pujari.  CBI represents Interpol in India. State police agencies approach CBI to forward their requests to Interpol for RCNs being issued.

Between the arrested, Hanumant Gaikwad and Rahul Londhe were “shooters” who used to work on a contractual basis. When the police arrested the accused, they also confiscated two motorbikes, mobile phones, three pistols, nine rounds and live cartridges. The arrested accused charged under MCOCA are Ramesh Patil, Vijay Pujari, Dayanand Amin, Mithun Karamakar, Soni Tejwani, Hanumant Gaikwad, Rahul Londhe, Ravindra Ghare, Rohan Dcosta, Iqlakh Shaikh and Naresh Gujran.