Nagpur: Bhandara police dealt a major blow to organised crime by slapping MCOCA against six dreaded gangs till July this year. Two of the six gangs have strong Nagpur connections, including a gang of burglars having over a hundred cases filed in Nagpur, its adjoining district like Bhandara and states like Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.Out of the 10 MCOCA cases registered in Bhandara in the last 11 years, six were registered in the last seven months alone. From 2015 to 2020, Bhandara recorded zero MCOCA cases. The law was invoked twice in 2021, once each in 2023 and 2025.SP Bhandara Noorul Hasan said, “All proposals were forwarded after detailed criminal background checks and received swift approval from the office of Special IG, Nagpur Range, Sandip Patil.” SP Hasan added that another four to six proposals are on the anvil. “We are following zero-tolerance against organized crime syndicate,” said the SP.The gang of burglars is led by Naresh Mahilange. MCOCA was also invoked against the ‘Nandanvan Toli’ from Nagpur involved in MD smuggling and peddling. Gangster Kapil Khobragade (41) and accomplice Mohammad Tarbez Mohammad Nawaz Sheikh (36) were arrested after recovery of 63 grams of MD worth Rs 14 lakh, cash, and other items from a rented house in Ambedkar Ward in Bhandara.Others against whom action was taken include Ganeshpur gang, Changu-Mangu gang of Lakhni, known for burglaries and attempted murder, Samrat gang involved in illegal cattle transportation for slaughter, and Tappa Mohalla gang linked to murder and theft.“The proactive approach is expected to dismantle organised criminal networks operating in the region, attach their properties, and bring lasting peace to the area. Investigations in all cases are progressing under respective sub-divisional police officers,” said IG Patil adding that periodic review is being taken in every MCOCA case.
