Maharashtra govt objects to petition seeking MCOCA against Hasan Ali Khan

The Maharashtra government today registered its objection to a plea filed by an activist seeking invocation of the MCOCA against Pune-based businessman Hasan Ali Khan, an accused in the multi-crore money laundering scam.

In its reply to a complaint filed by IG Khandelwal in special MCOCA court on May 2 seeking application of the stringent act to Khan, the government said that "cognisance of any offence as required under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) was not taken by any court in Maharashtra against Khan and no charge sheet was filed against him when the plaint was filed.

The state also contended that the "complaint lacks bonafide and is filed for gaining publicity and fame in the matter which is already sub-judice".

The state government also said that a citizen, without placing relevant information constituting cognisable offence under MCOCA, cannot approach the court.

The government further said in its reply, filed through special public prosecutor Dileep Shah that it has appointed a nodal agency and he (Khandelwal) can approach it for redressel of his grievances.

According to the reply this fact was brought to the notice of Khandelwal by the Enforcement Directorate while opposing the application filed by him.

"Merely lodging a complaint with police unless cognisable offence as punishable under MCOCA, the complainant has no legal right to set criminal law in motion," the state said.

The next hearing is likely to be held on June 10.