Daijworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jul 30: In a bid to curb rising criminal activities, Mangaluru City Police have decided to invoke the Karnataka Control of Organised Crime Act (KCOCA) more strictly against habitual offenders.

Officials have observed a trend where accused individuals, after securing bail in one case, return to criminal activities with impunity, showing no fear of the law. To break this cycle, police plan to file cases under KCOCA, which makes it more difficult for the accused to secure bail and ensures stricter punishment.

KCOCA cases already booked against six accused

KCOCA cases have already been registered against six individuals. Among them are two Mumbai-based men arrested for cheating people by promising overseas job visas, and four others involved in extorting money from a fellow inmate while in jail.

Association with gangs also punishable

Even those who associate with organised crime groups—despite not having prior criminal cases—can be punished under the section "member of an organised gang", which carries a minimum sentence of five years. “Merely being part of the gang will attract a case,” said city police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy.

No bail, longer sentences

Enacted in Karnataka in 2000 to combat organised crime and terrorism, KCOCA gives police special powers and makes it extremely difficult for the accused to secure bail. While an accused may face a maximum of three years under regular laws, a case under KCOCA can lead to a minimum sentence of five years, extending up to life imprisonment.

“If a person is named in two previous cases and gets involved in a third criminal activity, we will invoke KCOCA to ensure denial of bail and maximum punishment,” said commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy.