Gawli challenges MCOCA application

The police had last week obtained sanction from the JCP, as required under the MCOCA, to apply the Act against Gawli and his three associates. Earlier, they were booked under IPC for the same offence.

Last year, a complaint of extortion was registered against Gawli by Shakil Qureshi, a city-based businessman, saying he had mediated in a dispute between Qureshi and his business partner Rajendra Doshi and later demanded a ransom of Rs 18 lakh from him. Gawli moved the Mazgaon sessions court here after the complaint against him and secured anticipatory bail. But the government approached the HC, which set aside the bail and ordered re-hearing of the case.

The new judge is expected to deliver the order on Gawli8217;s anticipatory bail application tomorrow.