Delhi Court Slams Police Over Six-Year Delay in MCOCA Arrests, Orders Inquiry

A special MCOCA court in New Delhi has pulled up the police for being evasive and causing an almost six-year delay in arresting accused gang members under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999. Special judge Gaurav Rao observed that the prolonged inaction completely defeated the purpose of invoking the stringent anti-gang statute.

MCOCA was originally invoked against two accused individuals, Mukesh and Pradeep, in September 2020. However, investigators arrested Mukesh only in February 2026, while Pradeep was taken into custody in April 2026. Three other gang members linked to the case are yet to be arrested.

The court noted that while remaining at large, the accused continued to engage in criminal conduct across the city. Judge Rao pointed out that the men were involved in multiple heinous offences during the period they evaded arrest, frustrating the entire rationale behind applying MCOCA and rendering the law futile.

Taking strong exception to an investigation report submitted by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, the court rejected assertions defending the department's progress. The DCP's report had stated that police officials had made best efforts and were still making their best efforts to apprehend the suspects.

Judge Rao dismissed the submission as absolutely perfunctory and mere eyewash, calling the claim of best efforts nothing short of mockery. The court subsequently directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry into the lapses of the concerned officials and investigating officers.

Underlining the role of MCOCA in curbing organised crime syndicates, the court cautioned that investigative delays gravely undermine the administration of justice. Judge Rao observed that enormous delays in investigations and the filing of chargesheets immensely damage trials, as crucial evidence gets lost and witnesses tend to lose their memory over time.