Mumbai Court Convicts 6 In 2015 Oshiwara MD Case

A special NDPS court in Mumbai convicted six men on Tuesday for their involvement in a Mephedrone (MD) manufacturing unit in Oshiwara in 2015. The accused, including Sajid Electricwala, were found guilty of running the unit, which was raided by the police in June 2015. The raid led to the seizure of 25 kg of finished MD, 25 kg of semi-finished MD, and 100 litres of liquid MD.

The five accused who were convicted are Sachin Dilip Bagul, Sajid Yusuf Electricwala, Chandrakant Krushna Katade, Rahul Ramesh Salunke, Ayub Tafsir Khan alias Lala, and Bhanudas More alias Bhavesh Patel. The court also noted that Rajjak Hasanali Rupani alias Chacha, who died pending trial, was the head of the gang.

The police had initially arrested Bagul with 1 kg of MD near Hotel Shreeji in Oshiwara. After his interrogation, the police raided the flat where Electricwala was manufacturing the drugs. The special public prosecutor, Avdhut Chimalkar, had examined 44 witnesses and argued that Patel was the kingpin and mastermind behind the operation.

The court accepted the prosecution's case and observed that the accused were guilty of manufacturing and possessing MD. The special judge, Sudhirkumar Bukke, has adjourned the hearing to Thursday to determine the quantum of sentence.

The prosecution has argued that Patel should be given enhanced punishment under Section 31 of the NDPS Act, as he was previously convicted in a similar case. Patel was earlier convicted by a special Thane court for his involvement in another MD manufacturing case.

The conviction is a significant blow to the MD manufacturing trade in Mumbai. The city has seen a rise in MD-related cases in recent years, and the conviction of these six men is a step towards curbing the trade.

The sentence will be announced on Thursday, and it is expected to be severe. The prosecution has argued for enhanced punishment, given the severity of the crime and the previous conviction of one of the accused.

The case highlights the need for stricter laws and enforcement to curb the MD trade in Mumbai. The city's police and courts have been working to crack down on the trade, and this conviction is a significant step in that direction.

In conclusion, the conviction of the six men is a significant development in the fight against the MD trade in Mumbai. The sentence, which will be announced on Thursday, is expected to be severe, and it will serve as a deterrent to others involved in the trade.