Mumbai, Jul 8 (PTI) The Maharashtra government on Tuesday tabled a bill in the state assembly aimed at amending the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to bring drug peddlers under its purview.
Last week, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said in the legislative council that the government would amend the existing laws so that drug peddlers are booked under the stringent MCOCA, and added that the amendments will be introduced in the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature.
Accordingly, the government tabled the amendment bill.
The amendment seeks to expand the definition of "organised crime" in order to include activities related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The bill proposes to define production, manufacture, possession, sale and transport of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as organised crime. The MCOCA passed in 1999 defines organised crime as unlawful activity by an individual, singly or jointly, either as member of an organised crime syndicate or on behalf.
Speaking in the Upper House of the state legislature last week, Fadnavis said action is currently taken against those involved in the drugs trade under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
However, the arrested accused get bail and resume their activities again, he said, adding that the government intends to amend the law so that these people can be arrested under the MCOCA.