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Punishment under the tough Maharashtra legislation

Mumbai: The Anti-Terrorism Squad, probing the Malegaon blast, is invoking Sections 3(1), 3(2) and 3(4) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act against the accused.

Section 3 refers to punishment for organised crime. Under 3 (1) (i), if such offence has resulted in the death of any person, it is punishable with death or imprisonment for life and the offender is also liable to a fine, subject to a minimum of Rs. 1 lakh; (ii) In any other case, the offence is punishable with jail for a term not less than five years and may extend to imprisonment for life, and will also attract a fine, subject to a minimum of Rs. 5 lakh.

Under Section 3 (2), whoever conspires or attempts to commit or advocates, abets in or knowingly facilitates the commission of an organised crime or any act preparatory to organised crime shall be punished with imprisonment for a termnot less than five years and which may extend to life imprisonment, and also a fine subject to a minimum of Rs.5 lakh.

Under Section 3 (4), any person who is a member of an organised crime syndicate shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than five years and may extend to life imprisonment, and also a fine subject to a minimum of Rs.5 lakh.