THANE (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — The Thane Police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against four individuals in connection with a violent assault in Kalwa East. The move follows an incident on March 1 where the suspects allegedly attacked a local resident and subsequently injured a police officer who was attempting to apprehend them.
The Violent Altercation in Kalwa
The incident occurred on Sunday, March 1, in the Kalwa East area. According to police reports:
- The Initial Assault: The accused allegedly targeted and assaulted a man identified as Shafikul Sheikh.
- Public Intimidation: During the altercation, one of the suspects reportedly brandished a knife in public, shouting threats and daring bystanders to report the matter to the police.
- Attack on Police: When a team from the Kalwa police station arrived to intervene, the suspects turned their aggression toward the officers. In the ensuing struggle, one of the accused slashed a police officer’s right thumb with a blade.
Profile of the Accused
The individuals named in the FIR include:
- Swapnil Madhvani (alias Babu Kharkataya): A known local figure with a criminal history.
- Sushil Kamble (alias Natya Bhai): An associate of Madhvani.
- Bilal: (Associate)
- Raju: (Associate)
Notably, both Madhvani and Kamble were already under externment orders from the limits of Thane district at the time of the incident, meaning their presence in Kalwa was a direct violation of prior legal restrictions.
Legal Action and Current Status
A case was formally registered on Monday, March 2, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for assault, obstructing a public servant, and criminal intimidation. Following a review of the suspects’ habitual criminal activities and organized conduct, the Thane Police Commissionerate approved the invocation of MCOCA.
| Key Charge | Justification |
| MCOCA (Organised Crime) | Applied due to the suspects’ history of multiple collective criminal acts and their “reign of terror” in the locality. |
| BNS Assault/Obstruction | For the physical attack on Shafikul Sheikh and the injury caused to the police official. |
| Externment Violation | For returning to Thane city limits despite being legally barred. |
Current Status: The suspects remain at large. Multiple teams from the Thane Crime Branch and Kalwa Police have been deployed to conduct raids across the district and neighboring regions to secure their arrest.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Four booked under MCOCA for assaulting man, cop in Thane” (March 4, 2026)
- Rediff News: “MCOCA invoked in Thane assault case after attack on man and police officer” (March 4, 2026)
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