Nagpur: Zone 1 Police, led by DCP S Rushikesh Reddy, have invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against three members of a criminal gang in connection with an attempted murder case registered at Wadi police station.

The accused have been identified as Nitesh Prakash Sontakke, 20, Abhas Nitesh Waghmare, 19, and Vikant alias Vicky Bhaurao Dalve, 19.

According to police, the incident took place on August 29 near a water tank behind Lokmanya Tilak School at Indrayani Nagar, Dattawadi. Around 4 pm, complainant Pratik Rajesh Shende, 30, was talking to his friend when Sontakke allegedly picked a quarrel with them, abused Shende and threatened him.

Later, around 9.30 pm, Sontakke allegedly returned with Waghmare and Dalve. The trio allegedly attacked Shende with a knife and wooden stick with an intention to kill him, leaving him seriously injured.

Wadi police registered a case under Sections 109(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)and Section 135 of the Maharashtra Police Act.

During the investigation, police found that the three accused were members of a gang and allegedly had a history of offences including attempted murder, assault, abusive behaviour and illegal possession of weapons. Police said their activities had created fear and a sense of insecurity among local residents.

Based on these findings, Wadi police prepared an MCOCA proposal and submitted it through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone 1. Following orders from senior officers, Sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 were added to the case.

Further investigation is underway.

Nagpur Police said their zero-tolerance policy against habitual and organised criminals would continue.