Yashwant Sonawane murder case accused moves high court, challenges MCOCA

Madansingh Rajmurdas Singh, one of the accused in additional collector Yashwant Sonawane murder case, has moved the Bombay high court challenging the invocation of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Singh has also sought quashing of FIR against him.

On January 25, Sonawane was set ablaze by some people involved in fuel adulteration at Panewadi near Manmand in Nashik district. While Sonawane died on the spot, Popat Shinde, the main accused, too suffered burns, and died later.

Apart from Singh, nine persons were arrested.

In his petition before the High Court, Singh has said he was falsely implicated in the case.

"Police have shown cases registered more than ten years back while invoking sections under MCOCA. According to the law, MCOCA can be invoked only if a person has two or more cases registered against him in the past ten year period," the petition says.

The division bench of Justices P V Hardas and M N Gilani has adjourned the matter till April 21.

According to the police, Sonawane had spotted an oil pilfering and tried to stop it, which led to the gruesome murder.