How hooch tragedy has brought stringent PCOCA back under spotlight

KANCHAN VASDEV explains the law and why it is controversial.

punjab hooch tragedy, amarinder singh, Punjab Control of Organised Crime Act. PCOCA, punjab hooch tragedy deaths, indian express news

PCOCA returned to spotlight after Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa raised it in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. (Representational)

Two years after the Congress government in the state put in cold storage the Punjab Control of Organised Crime Act (PCOCA), the law is again in focus with a few Cabinet ministers demanding that the law be passed to rein in organised crimes like spurious liquor trade. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has now directed the Cabinet Sub-Committee to submit its report.

What is PCOCA and why is it considered ‘draconian’?

The PCOCA is a more stringent version of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), which provides for a confession statement made before a DIG-rank officer to be admissible in the court. The Punjab’s law provides for the confessional statement to be ratified by an ADGP-rank officer. PCOCA is termed “draconian” by the politicians as it provides for detention without bail for a year while MCOCA provides for detention for not more than six months.

Why was it put in cold storage?

Local Bodies Minister Brahm Mohindra, who was the head of Cabinet Sub-Committee constituted by the CM to study PCOCA and give a report, told the CM in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that the law was aimed at reining in the gangsters. With Punjab Police having been able to neutralise many gangsters, the Cabinet Sub-Committee thought that it was not needed anymore. A number of ministers have been privately opposing it stating that it made the police more powerful, adding that the law could be misused as a tool to settle scores in case of political vendetta and political leaders will be at the receiving end. While Haryana enacted a similar law last year, Punjab had forgotten about it.

Why is the spotlight back on PCOCA?

PCOCA returned to spotlight after Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa raised it in the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The Cabinet was discussing hooch tragedy and Amarinder wanted the hooch traders booked under Section 302 IPC for murder. Randhawa then said a law like PCOCA should be passed by Punjab to deal with such criminals as well as gangsters. Randhawa has been a votary of the law as he is a jails ministers and a number of gangsters are lodged in jails across Punjab. He has been seeking from Union Home Minister that the gangsters should be sent to jails in other states to break their nexus with other gangsters, drug peddlers and Khalistani elements.

When was PCOCA conceived?

PCOCA was conceived by former DGP Suresh Arora during previous SAD-BJP regime in the state. At that time gangsters were an issue in the state and to rein them in, Arora had proposed PCOCA. The then Home Minister Sukhbir Badal had agreed but the previous government stopped short of passing it after then Cabinet ministers raised aspersions that it could be used against them as the state was facing elections in 2017.

Amarinder had then favoured PCOCA and after taking over, the draft was taken up in the Cabinet meeting in April 2017. But several ministers opposed it. Amarinder had then constituted a Sub Committee of the Cabinet to decide the way forward.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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