Action under MCOCA possible against NCP lawmaker: CM

Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis on Friday did not rule out the possibility of invoking stringent provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad, whose name has cropped up in connection with the high-profile suicide case of Thane builder Suraj Parmar.

Making a statement on the calling attention motion moved by BJP member and noted builder Mangal Prabhat Lodha and others, Fadanvis told the Maharashtra Assembly that both Commissioner and Joint Commissioner of Police (Thane) were investigating the case.

He said the police investigation are being conducted on the basis of Parmar's suicide note and two of his dairies recovered after the builder shot himself dead on October 7.

Fadnavis said police have been directed to probe the case in an impartial manner and "whosoever is involved whether politicians or builders, will not be spared."

When members from the treasury benches insisted that Fadnavis reveal the name of the MLA allegedly facing charges for abetting the suicide of Parmar, the CM informed the House that it was Jitendra Awhad. To which, members cutting across party lines, including Opposition Leader Radha Krishna Vikhe Patil (Congress), Yogesh Sagar, Anil Gote, Anil Bonde (all BJP), Imtiayaz Jalil (AIMIM), Pratap Sarnaik (Sena) and others felt that there was a need to break the nexus between builders and bureaucrats.