Nagpur: In a major crackdown on organised crime, Nagpur Rural Police have invoked the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against notorious land mafia and former Corporator Harish Mohan Gwalvanshi and five members of his gang, exposing the deep-rooted criminal network that allegedly thrived on terror, violence and extortion in the region, a report in a local Hindi daily said.
All six accused, including the alleged gang leader Gwalvanshi, have been arrested. The action, described by police as long overdue, was taken under Kalmeshwar police station limits, under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Harssh Poddar and Additional SP Anil Mhaske.
Gold Rate
13 Jan 2026
Brutal attack triggered MCOCA action
According to police, the immediate trigger for invoking MCOCA was a brutal and premeditated attack on Arif Latif Sheikh, a resident of Matapura, Kalmeshwar. On November 23, 2025, at around 11 pm, the accused allegedly assaulted Sheikh near Visawa Bar and Restaurant over an old rivalry. Armed with sticks and stones, the gang allegedly beat him mercilessly, forcibly abducted him in a car, and later assaulted him again in Friends Colony, in a clear display of criminal dominance.
A case was initially registered at Kalmeshwar police station under multiple serious sections of law. However, subsequent investigation revealed the organised and habitual nature of the crime, prompting police to escalate the action under MCOCA.
Gang with long criminal trail
Those arrested include Harish Mohan Gwalvanshi (50), a resident of Makardhokda and alleged gang kingpin; Roshan Baban Yadav (32); Ashutosh Shailesh Gwalvanshi (26); Aniket Anil Uikey (28); Ashish Vishnu Giri (34) of Ganga Nagar, Katol Road, Nagpur; and Rajeshwar alias Kalya Kishanji Sonare (45), also a resident of Makardhokda.
Police investigations have laid bare a well-entrenched organised crime syndicate, allegedly led by Gwalvanshi, operating with the objective of financial gain, spreading fear and maintaining unlawful dominance. The gang has been linked to a string of grave offences, including murder and attempted murder, kidnapping, extortion, violent assaults, illegal possession of weapons and criminal intimidation.
Records show that the gang has been active before and after 2017, with multiple cases registered across Nagpur city and rural areas. Shockingly, the gang leader alone is named in at least 11 serious criminal cases registered at various police stations.
Police push back against organised crime
Given the gang’s consistent criminal conduct, Kalmeshwar police prepared a detailed MCOCA proposal, which was forwarded through senior officials to the Special Inspector General of Police. Following approval, MCOCA sections were formally added to the case.
Senior police officials stated that the action is aimed at dismantling organised crime networks that have operated with impunity for years. “This crackdown will help establish effective control over organised crime in the area and restore a sense of security among law-abiding citizens,” police said.
The invocation of MCOCA against a politically connected and well-known land mafia figure sends a strong signal that habitual offenders and organised crime syndicates will no longer be spared, regardless of influence or past patronage.
