Nagpur: Rural police invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999, against a four-member gang led by Lokesh Dhabre for their role in the cold-blooded murder of Vasantha Neware and a series of criminal activities in the region. The action was initiated by Buti Bori police station under the supervision of SP Harssh A Poddar and addl SP Anil Mhaske.The accused are Lokesh Dhabre (27), Ritik Moongel (18), Brijesh Kumar (25), and Omprakash alias Pintu Devangan (31), hail from Chhattisgarh.The case revolves around the murder of 48-year-old Neware. On Jan 9, Neware left home on his motorcycle for work around 9.30pm but never returned. His son Abhijit lodged a missing person complaint after finding the abandoned bike near a liquor shop.Investigations confirmed the murder on Jan 15, leading to an FIR under relevant sections of BNS. During interrogation Dhabre revealed that the gang abducted Neware to Vadgaon Gujar, where they killed him over a dispute linked to alcohol consumption. Accomplices allegedly helped dispose of the weapon and blood-stained clothes.Probes uncovered the gang’s wider criminal footprint, with at least nine serious cases registered across police stations in Nagpur rural and city areas. Dhabre reportedly recruited members from local and neighbouring states.Following a detailed proposal from Buti Bori police, approved by special IG, Nagpur range, Sandeep Patil, MCOCA was applied to the FIR.
