Latest news with #MaharashtraPreventionofDangerousActivities


Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ex-BJP MP Gopal Shetty among 2 acquitted by Mumbai court in 20-year-old police assault case as witness turns hostile
Mumbai: With the purported victim claiming that the push might have been unintentional due to the accused being in a hurry, a sessions court recently acquitted former BJP MP Gopal Shetty (71) and party functionary Ganesh Khankar (52) over two decades after they were accused of storming into a police station and attacking a constable. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was alleged that their reaction came after Kasturba Marg police booked Netaji Shinde, a BJP worker from Borivli (E), under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act. The constable turned hostile in court and did not support the prosecution's case. "From overall evidence on record, it appears that both accused visited Kasturba Marg police station at midnight, possibly with the intention of assisting or supporting their party activist, Netaji Shinde, who was detained under the MPDA Act," additional sessions judge Satyanarayan R Navander said. He added that the only witness who partly supported the prosecution case was the constable, and even his testimony was contradictory, vague, and substantially weakened during cross-examination. "No independent or neutral witnesses were examined, and no other officer supported the allegations despite being named in the FIR. The investigating officer himself did not corroborate the allegations. In light of this, a serious doubt arises regarding the prosecution's case," the judge said. The prosecution had alleged that on Sept 10, 2004, at 12.45am, Shetty and Khankar allegedly pushed aside constable Udesh Mohite, forcibly entered Kasturba Marg police station, hurled abuses, and threatened him. They reportedly entered the detection room and abused the cops and threatened police sub-inspector Radheshyam Sharma before leaving. A crucial point in the trial was the deposition of Mohite. While he admitted that one of the accused used insulting words after entering the police station, he denied lodging any complaint against them and claimed to be unaware of what transpired after they entered. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now During examination by the prosecution, he admitted that the accused pushed him and hurled abuses, and that he lodged a complaint. However, during cross-examination by the defence, he stated he could not confirm if it was intentional or accidental. He also did not specify the exact abusive words used. The judge found his testimony to be "extremely weak and unreliable". "Only after being confronted with leading questions did he admit to being pushed and abused, but those allegations are vague and unsupported. The further admissions given by him during the defence cross-examination weaken the prosecution's case even more," the judge said. Sharma deposed that he carried out the investigations and filed the chargesheet. However, he did not state that he personally witnessed the incident or corroborate the allegations in the FIR about him being insulted or intimidated. The case initially proceeded before the Mazgaon magistrate's court, which framed charges against the accused on Jan 30, 2025, and recorded prosecution witness evidence. However, the JMFC lacked jurisdiction to try the offence under Section 353 of the IPC, which was made exclusively triable by the sessions court via a state amendment. Consequently, the matter was committed to the sessions court on June 21. Fresh charges were framed against the accused by the sessions court on July 19, to which both pleaded not guilty. The prosecution opted to rely on the evidence already recorded before the JMFC, and the defence raised no objection.


Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
Notorious criminal Sagore jailedfor one year under MPDA Act
Chandrapur: In a significant crackdown on habitual offenders, the Chandrapur district administration has ordered the detention of notorious criminal Sangam Sambhaji Sagore under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act for a period of one year. The action was taken following a proposal submitted by Chandrapur police, citing his repeated involvement in criminal activities and the atmosphere of fear he created in the district. Sagore (30), a resident of Mitra Nagar near Ambedkar College, Chandrapur, has been booked in as many as 21 criminal cases across police stations in Ballarpur, Ramnagar, Padoli, and Bhadravati. His record includes armed robberies, grievous assaults, unlawful possession and use of firearms, arson, obscene verbal abuse, murder, and attempted murder. Despite multiple preventive measures taken against him in the past, Sagore continued to engage in violent and disruptive acts, posing a threat to public safety and law and order. His criminal behaviour has led to widespread panic and insecurity among the local populace. Taking cognisance of the matter, Chandrapur Superintendent of Police submitted a detailed proposal under the MPDA Act, which aims to curb the activities of slumlords, bootleggers, drug offenders, and other dangerous individuals. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Acting on the recommendation, district magistrate Vinay Gowda approved the detention of Sagore for one year. Following the order issued on Monday, Sangam Sagore has been lodged in Central Jail, Chandrapur. The authorities have termed the action as a necessary step to restore peace and prevent further criminal activities in the district. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!


Time of India
01-07-2025
- Time of India
‘One Day, One Gang' drive brings crime down by 28% in West Nagpur
Nagpur: The 'One Day, One Gang' drive launched by Zone 1 DCP Lohit Matani has resulted in a sharp decline in crime rate in West Nagpur. According to official stats, the crime rate dropped 28% in Zone 1, comprising Wadi, MIDC, Hingna, Pratap Nagar, Bajaj Nagar and Sonegaon police stations, from January to June 2025 as compared to the same period last year. In a crackdown against organised crime and gangs, police have externed 120 criminals and sent another five behind bars for a year under the stringent Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act. " We have disrupted the ecosystem of organised crime in West Nagpur. We encouraged registration of offences and, wherever possible, initiated coercive actions against habitual offenders," said Matani. The drive was launched under the guidance of CP Ravinder Singal. According to police sources, the largest-ever externment operation in Nagpur led to the banishment of 15 criminal gangs and several habitual offenders from the city and rural limits for two years. "We made it compulsory for the cops to target one gang each day and check on one of its gangsters daily," Matani said. The 'One Day, One Gang' initiative includes daily foot patrols, combing operations, and rigorous checks in crime-prone areas, increasing police presence and visibility across West Nagpur. According to official data, the total number of crimes in Zone 1 dropped from 480 (from January to June) in 2024 to 348 in the corresponding period of 2025. Crimes against people and property also saw a significant decline, with attempted murder cases falling from 8 to 3, robbery from 4 to none, chain snatching from 3 to none, and rape cases dropping from 30 to 18. Similarly, motorcycle thefts reduced from 134 to 92, while total thefts declined from 199 to 154. Matani's team also invoked Section 111 of the BNS against two criminals and charged 108 others under Section 163 of the BNS to ensure public safety during festivals and events. Beyond enforcement, the police team also targeted illegal activities such as gambling, illicit liquor sales, hookah parlours, and drug trafficking. Informants were deployed to monitor externed criminals, while searches of their residences and restrictions on movement helped dismantle criminal networks further. Complementing these efforts, Matani's 'Police Uncle, Police Sister' campaign worked to build community trust by educating students on safe touch, the risks of addiction, and civic responsibilities. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!


Time of India
28-06-2025
- Time of India
Notorious Gangster Detained Under MPDA in Nagpur
Nagpur: Commissioner of police Ravinder Singal issued a restraining order under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act, 1981, against Harsh alias Pinda Anandpawar, a 21-year-old notorious gangster from Maratha Chowk, Naik Talav. Known for a string of serious crimes, including murder, robbery with deadly weapons, criminal conspiracy, and extortion, Harsh has been terrorising the Pachpaoli and Sadar areas. Despite prior preventive actions under CrPC Sections 107 and 110 in 2022, his criminal activities escalated, disrupting public order. Following a proposal from the senior police inspector of Pachpaoli, and the Crime Branch's MPDA department, the commissioner ordered his detention. Harsh is currently lodged in Nagpur Central Jail, awaiting transfer to Dhule District Jail.


Time of India
11-06-2025
- Time of India
Goon Spent Year in Jail, Builds Body in Barrack, Returns Posing Bigger Threat
1 2 3 Nagpur: Sunny Gaikwad, 23-year-old unobtrusive miscreant, defied his skinny and famished demeanour but with sharp criminal mind, was jailed under the stringent Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act two years ago. Nabbed by Nagpur police, the court had convicted him to undergo term at Nashik Central Jail. But things seemingly went haywire, and Gaikwad used the opportunity to focus on his body and gain strength. Back in Nagpur after his release a year ago took many, including the police, by surprise. Gaikwad was a different person altogether — not that he had reformed — but he returned with spitefulness with his chiseled bodybuilder's body, and his cold-viciousness only to go back to return where he had left his criminal past behind, albeit with more vengeance. With his new muscular avatar, he once again unleashed his reign of terror. Gaikwad returned augured a bigger threat to the police at Kaikade Nagar where he would brandish his muscular body and turn violent at the slightest provocation. He kept the cops on their toes with his criminal activities, which included assault, snatching cash at knifepoint, extorting traders, threatening those who crossed him, and other offences. Gaikwad would demand free goods from shopkeepers at knifepoint. Residents were left desperately seeking police intervention. He was slapped with MPDA once again and sent back to prison for the second time on Tuesday. He is currently lodged in Nagpur Central Jail. Gaikwad's physical transition happened gradually during his stint in Nashik Central Jail in 2023 where focused on diet and building muscles. "Gaikwad was uncontrollable. It seemed either he would murder someone or get murdered by rivals or even by the enraged public," senior inspector Mukund Kawade said. Gaikwad already had around 17 offences registered against him under various sections. "Earlier, though he had several offences, Gaikwad was meek before his first MPDA detention in 2023. Somehow, he built his body in prison and returned stronger and more desperate, posing a greater threat," said the senior PI. Kawade stated that a strategy was formulated under the supervision of Zonal DCP Rashmitha Rao to curb Gaikwad's activities. ACP Narendra Hiware assisted in the legal process. "We registered an offence of assault as soon as a complainant approached us. Gradually, we registered more cases, which unsettled his confidence. In the meantime, we prepared strong legal records and evidence to back yet another MPDA proposal," said Kawade. "Our proposal for a fresh MPDA action against him was finalized with the help of the modus operandi branch. CP Ravinder Singal approved the proposal, which paved the way for his swift arrest. He is currently lodged in Nagpur Central Jail but will be shifted to other prisons in the state," Kawade added. Nagpur: Sunny Gaikwad, 23-year-old unobtrusive miscreant, defied his skinny and famished demeanour but with sharp criminal mind, was jailed under the stringent Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act two years ago. Nabbed by Nagpur police, the court had convicted him to undergo term at Nashik Central Jail. But things seemingly went haywire, and Gaikwad used the opportunity to focus on his body and gain strength. Back in Nagpur after his release a year ago took many, including the police, by surprise. Gaikwad was a different person altogether — not that he had reformed — but he returned with spitefulness with his chiseled bodybuilder's body, and his cold-viciousness only to go back to return where he had left his criminal past behind, albeit with more vengeance. With his new muscular avatar, he once again unleashed his reign of terror. Gaikwad returned augured a bigger threat to the police at Kaikade Nagar where he would brandish his muscular body and turn violent at the slightest provocation. He kept the cops on their toes with his criminal activities, which included assault, snatching cash at knifepoint, extorting traders, threatening those who crossed him, and other offences. Gaikwad would demand free goods from shopkeepers at knifepoint. Residents were left desperately seeking police intervention. He was slapped with MPDA once again and sent back to prison for the second time on Tuesday. He is currently lodged in Nagpur Central Jail. Gaikwad's physical transition happened gradually during his stint in Nashik Central Jail in 2023 where focused on diet and building muscles. "Gaikwad was uncontrollable. It seemed either he would murder someone or get murdered by rivals or even by the enraged public," senior inspector Mukund Kawade said. Gaikwad already had around 17 offences registered against him under various sections. "Earlier, though he had several offences, Gaikwad was meek before his first MPDA detention in 2023. Somehow, he built his body in prison and returned stronger and more desperate, posing a greater threat," said the senior PI. Kawade stated that a strategy was formulated under the supervision of Zonal DCP Rashmitha Rao to curb Gaikwad's activities. ACP Narendra Hiware assisted in the legal process. "We registered an offence of assault as soon as a complainant approached us. Gradually, we registered more cases, which unsettled his confidence. In the meantime, we prepared strong legal records and evidence to back yet another MPDA proposal," said Kawade. "Our proposal for a fresh MPDA action against him was finalized with the help of the modus operandi branch. CP Ravinder Singal approved the proposal, which paved the way for his swift arrest. He is currently lodged in Nagpur Central Jail but will be shifted to other prisons in the state," Kawade added.