Mumbai Police have arrested seven individuals belonging to an organized gang operating under the guise of a Mathadi workers' union for assault and extortion. The gang faces strict charges under MCOCA.

  • Mumbai Police arrested seven members of an organized gang posing as Mathadi union workers.
  • The accused allegedly attempted to murder 27-year-old Nadim Nasrudin Sheikh during an extortion attempt.
  • The Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) has been invoked.
  • The gang leader, known as 'Bada Kanna,' remains at large.

Mumbai: In a major crackdown on organized crime, the Mumbai Police have arrested seven men allegedly involved in an extortion racket operating under the name of a Mathadi workers' union. The arrests follow a brutal assault on a 27-year-old man in the MIDC-Andheri area. Given the organized nature of the gang's activities, authorities have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

According to Police Inspector Manojkumar Mane, the accused conspired to extort money by claiming jurisdiction over specific industrial areas. The victim, Nadim Nasrudin Sheikh, who belonged to a different faction of the Mathadi union, was targeted when he was assigned to renovate a 7,700 sq. ft. office. The gang allegedly blocked the work, demanding illegal payments under the pretext that the area fell under their control.

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Details of the Brutal Assault

The police report states that the accused did not stop at threats. In an attempt to intimidate and silence the victim, they allegedly attacked Sheikh with wooden sticks, striking him on the head and legs with the intent to kill. The incident has highlighted the violent methods used by these splinter groups to maintain dominance in the Mumbai industrial belt.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the infiltration of labor unions by organized crime syndicates poses a significant threat to the ease of doing business in Mumbai. These gangs use the legitimate identity of the Mathadi union to demand 'Varai' (protection money) from industrialists, construction professionals, and traders, often resorting to weapons like swords and knives when resisted.

The misuse of labor union identities to shield organized extortion rackets is a growing menace to urban stability.

The seven arrested individuals have been identified as Puran Arun Singh (alias Chadda), Rohit Madhukar Salunkhe, Imran Basudidan Havaldar, Suresh Gulabchand Goud (alias Kisan), Akash Mansingh Singh (alias Nepali), Rajkumar Selvan Munnuswamy (alias Lala), and Arjun Muniyaan Muttu (alias Daku). The police are currently conducting a manhunt for the alleged gang leader, Kannan Chinnadurai Vanniyar, alias Bada Kanna.

Historical Background: The Mathadi Movement

The Mathadi Workers' Union, established in 1966 by former BJP MP Annadaheb Patil, was designed to protect manual head-loaders and workers from exploitation. This led to the Maharashtra Mathadi Act of 1969, which created regulated boards to ensure fixed wages and social security. However, the recent arrest highlights how criminal elements are exploiting these legal frameworks for illicit financial gain.

Did You Know?: The Mathadi Act was specifically designed to provide social security to manual laborers who handle heavy goods in Maharashtra's markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is MCOCA and why was it applied?
MCOCA is a special law used to tackle organized crime syndicates. It was applied here due to the gang's systematic use of violence and extortion.

2. How did the gang operate?
The gang would intercept vehicles and demand 'Varai' or protection money, often using violence to assert dominance over specific territories.