Maharashtra Court Grants Bail To A Man Booked Under MCOCA Over Kidnapping, Dacoity

A Thane court (Maharashtra) on Wednesday has granted bail to a man facing charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act in a case of alleged kidnapping and dacoity registered nearly 2 years ago.

In his order of April 15, Special Judge Amit M Shete gave relief to Tushar, alias Vangya Prakash Pawar, raising doubts over the prosecution’s version.
A copy of the order was made available on Wednesday.

According to the prosecution, the accused persons kidnapped the complainant at gunpoint around 8 pm on August 13, 2022, and demanded Rs 20,000 for his release.

The Dombivali police in the district booked Pawar and others for kidnapping, dacoity and voluntarily causing hurt under the IPC besides pressing charges under the stringent MCOCA, Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.

The court stated that, it appears that the accused and the complainant were friends and on the date of the alleged incident, they were together for a birthday party.

It noted that the complainant returned home a few hours after he was allegedly kidnapped and there was no material on record to suggest that his family paid Rs.20,000 for his release.

The court stated that there is no medical certificate supporting the prosecution’s allegations of assault, adding that the co-accused in the case have already been granted bail.

The judge stated, “Considering the peculiar facts as well as the material, the bar under section 21(4) of the MCOC Act could not be attracted,” granting bail to Pawar.