KCOCA invoked against absconding gangster Kali Yogesh in Udupi
Udupi:The Kapu Police in Udupi district have invoked the stringent Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) against notorious underworld figure Kali Yogesh, who is currently absconding abroad.
The move marks a significant escalation in the legal action against Yogesh, who is accused of being involved in multiple serious criminal cases, including high-profile murders.
According to police sources, Kali Yogesh is a prime accused in the murder of Pangala Sharath Shetty, which took place in December 2022. The killing had sent shockwaves across the coastal belt of Karnataka.
Investigations revealed that the murder was allegedly carried out over a long-standing land dispute, with Yogesh playing a key role in orchestrating the crime from behind the scenes.
In addition to the Sharath Shetty murder case, Kali Yogesh is also named as an accused in the Yogesh Acharya murder case, further strengthening the police’s claim that he is part of an organised criminal network operating across districts and even beyond national borders.
Despite sustained efforts by the police, Yogesh has managed to evade arrest and is believed to be hiding in a foreign country. Senior police officials stated that the decision to invoke KCOCA was taken after carefully examining Yogesh’s criminal history, the gravity of the offences, and the organised nature of the crimes.
The Act has been invoked to curb his criminal activities, dismantle the network supporting him, and to facilitate stronger legal action against him and his associates.
What is KCOCA?:
The Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) is a stringent law enacted to combat organised crime, mafia operations, and terror-related activities. The Act provides law enforcement agencies with enhanced powers to tackle criminal syndicates involved in serious offences such as murder, extortion, contract killings, and illegal land dealings.
Under KCOCA, accused persons face severe penalties, including denial of bail, attachment and confiscation of properties acquired through illegal means, and extended periods for investigation. The law allows investigating agencies up to 365 days to file a charge sheet, unlike regular criminal cases where the timeframe is significantly shorter.
In extreme cases, those convicted under KCOCA can be awarded life imprisonment or even the death penalty, depending on the nature and impact of the crime. The Act is considered one of the toughest legal tools available to the police to dismantle organised crime networks.
Police tighten the net:
With KCOCA now invoked, the Kapu Police are expected to intensify efforts to trace Kali Yogesh’s whereabouts and initiate extradition procedures if required. Officials also indicated that action will be taken against individuals who are found to be aiding or sheltering the accused, either directly or indirectly.
The invocation of KCOCA in this case reflects the growing concern of law enforcement agencies over organised crime in coastal Karnataka and their resolve to deal with such elements firmly. Police have reiterated that no individual, regardless of influence or location, will be spared if found involved in organised criminal activities.
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