Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday that the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) will be invoked against those involved in cow slaughter and trafficking. This decision marks a significant escalation in the state’s crackdown on illegal cattle trade, reflecting the government’s resolve to treat such activities as part of organized crime networks. MCOCA, enacted in 1999, was originally designed to combat the rise of mafia syndicates, underworld operations, and large-scale criminal enterprises engaged in offenses like extortion, murder, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling. By extending the law to cover cow smuggling, the state aims to classify repeat offenders as members of organized crime syndicates — a move that will allow authorities to impose harsher penalties, extend police custody periods, and deny bail more easily.
Addressing the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Fadnavis stressed that the government is determined to curb cow smuggling and slaughter, particularly targeting those who repeatedly engage in the crime for profit. He added that the Home Department, which he oversees, is actively monitoring districts where such cases are rampant. Police have been instructed to build strong cases against offenders to ensure they cannot evade justice.
The issue gained traction after NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap raised a calling-attention motion in the Assembly, pointing to the case of Atiq Qureshi, a known repeat offender in cow trafficking. Minister of State for Home (Rural) Pankaj Bhoyar provided details, revealing that Qureshi has 20 cases of cow smuggling registered against him in Ahilyanagar district alone. Despite his arrest on January 20, he was released on bail by March 1, resuming his illegal activities soon after. Fadnavis intervened during the discussion, assuring the House that repeat offenders like Qureshi would face MCOCA charges, emphasizing that the law would be wielded strictly to deter others from following the same path.
In a broader push to restore law and order, Fadnavis delivered an impassioned speech, reiterating his government’s tough stance on crime. He connected the crackdown on cow smuggling to his broader commitment to protecting law enforcement officers and citizens from violence and criminal intimidation. Referring to the recent riots in Nagpur, where police personnel were assaulted during an outbreak of arson, Fadnavis didn’t hold back. He issued a fiery warning, vowing severe consequences for those responsible. "Those who assaulted police during the Nagpur arson will be dug out from their graves. Attacks on police are unpardonable, and we will not spare them," he declared, drawing applause from the Assembly.
Fadnavis’s strong words reflect his determination to establish a sense of security and accountability in the state. He underscored that violence against police officers would face the strictest punishment, setting an example that lawbreakers, whether involved in cow smuggling or public violence, would face uncompromising legal action. The Chief Minister’s remarks signal a no-nonsense approach, making it clear that the Maharashtra government intends to prioritize law and order, ensuring that criminals — regardless of their political or financial influence — face the full weight of the law.
