A sessions court in Thane has acquitted a man who had been booked under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with a highway robbery case, citing insufficient evidence to prove his involvement.
The accused was charged with participating in an alleged gang that carried out armed robberies on highways. Prosecutors invoked the stringent provisions of MCOCA, claiming the act was part of organized criminal activity.
However, during the trial, the court observed that the prosecution had failed to establish the accused’s role in any specific act of robbery or prove his sustained involvement in an organized crime syndicate as required under MCOCA. The court also found the confessional statements and circumstantial evidence inadequate to secure a conviction.
In light of the evidentiary gaps, the judge ruled in favor of acquittal, reaffirming the principle that serious charges under special laws like MCOCA require a higher threshold of proof.
The acquittal comes as a reminder of the strict standards courts apply in cases involving organized crime legislation, especially where personal liberty is at stake.
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