HC rejects bail of MCOCA accused for extortion, expedites trial

Mumbai, Dec 15 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today rejected the bail application of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) accused Bhagwan Thadani, brother-in-law of absconding accused Aejaz Lakdawalla, for abetting extortion.

Justice S C Dharmadhikari directed the MCOCA court to expedite his trial.

Complainant Nijjar Panjwani said he had received an anonymous call in the name of Lakdawala demanding an extortion amount of Rs 50 lakh. He was even shot at by two of his aides in February last year.

As per the confessional statement of co-accused Mohammed Khalid that Rs 4.49 lakh was found in Thadani's house, received in two instalments as extortion amount, Thadani was arrested in April on charges of attempt to murder, possession of arms and links with organised crime syndicate.

However, defence counsel Majid Memon submitted before the court that Thadani could not be booked under MCOCA as the mandatory two chargesheets had not been filed against him. Thadani was being made a scapegoat for being related to Lakdawalla, he had said.

But prosecution counsel Swapnil Pednekar opposed the bail as per the confessional statement of co-accused Mohammed Khalid.

Thadani has been in jail since the last one-and-half-years.

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