Pune: Members of the legislative council have demanded that the state govt invoke provisions of the MCOCA against the accused arrested in the recent hooch tragedy that claimed 22 lives in Pune, last month.The issue was raised in the ongoing monsoon session of the assembly on Thursday. During an elaborate discussion, MLCs from the opposition as well as the Mahayuti urged the home department to take strict action against the people responsible for the crime.MLC Neelam Gorhe of Shiv Sena said, “Many people were involved in the process of illegal liquor making and transportation. I urge the govt to invoke sections of MCOCA against those responsible for the deaths of 22 people.”MLC Ambadas Danve of Shiv Sena (UBT) said the illegal den was operating close to the Hadapsar police station. He alleged police and officials of the state excise department did not act against the activity, despite being aware. He said there should also be action against senior officials in the know.Minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam said, “The case has been transferred to the CID and police have made several arrests from different locations. They are already studying the legal provisions to see if MCOCA can be invoked.”Kadam also said the govt would conduct a meeting involving officials from police, state excise and FDA to develop a mechanism to track transportation of methanol that is illegally used to make illicit country liquor.
