Repeat cow trafficking offenders face MCOCA charges in Maharashtra

MUMBAI: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a new measure to tackle repeated offenders in cow and bovine trafficking. Those involved in these illegal activities will now be prosecuted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Fadnavis's announcement came after an issue was raised in the assembly by NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap. Jagtap highlighted the case of a local criminal named Atique Qureshi. He pointed out that Qureshi has numerous criminal charges against him, including cow slaughter and trafficking. The Chief Minister responded by saying the police would be instructed to take strict action against repeat offenders. Pankaj Bhoyar, the Minister of State for Home, added that Qureshi was arrested in January but was granted bail earlier this month. He affirmed that the police would continue to pursue action against criminals like Qureshi.