Following latest extortion case, MCOCA invoked against Mukesh Salve & gang in Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Cracking down on gangs of active criminals involved in body and property offences, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar city police invoked provisions of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against 27-year-old Mukundwadi resident Mukesh, alias Mukya Mahendra Salve, and his associates for allegedly running an extortion racket and being involved in a series of crimes.
Police commissioner Pravin Pawar said in the long list of crimes, this gang, led by Salve, recently assaulted a hotelier, his son, and nephew for not paying extortion money. Mukundwadi inspector Shivaji Taware said a complaint was registered at Mukundwadi police station on March 24 against an incident that occurred around 10 pm on Feb 23.
The complainant and his family members were seated in the open space of their hotel when Salve, along with accomplices — identified as Vikki (alias Helmet Sonkamble), Kishor Shinde, Umesh Gawli, Balaji Piwal, Sanket Lamdande, Rohit Mhaskey, Ajay (alias Ajya Bhajya Adamane), and Sundar (alias Sundraya Kamble) — reached the spot armed with wooden sticks and sickles.
The gang allegedly demanded a monthly payment of Rs 2,000 to allow the complainant to operate a scrap shop on his own premises. When the complainant refused, the accused brutally assaulted him, his son, and nephew. They also vandalised a scooter, looted Rs 10,000 from a drawer, and issued death threats before fleeing the spot.
Investigators revealed that Vikki was previously detained under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities Act (MPDA) in 2018, 2021, and 2023, but continued to be involved in criminal activities with his gang. The police stated that the group operated as a well-organised criminal syndicate.
Police commissioner Pravin Pawar on Wednesday granted prior approval to invoke sections 3(1)(ii), 3(2), and 3(4) of the MCOCA against Salve and his gang and tasked assistant commissioner of police (city division) Sampat Shinde with leading the investigation.