In Brief
Abhishek Singh appealed against the High Court's dismissal of his challenge to a sanction order authorizing prosecution under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA) for offences including kidnapping, extortion, and criminal intimidation. The Supreme Court upheld the sanction, holding that the threshold requirements of MCOCA—involving cognizable offences punishable by three or more years imprisonment, multiple charge-sheets, and court cognizance—were satisfied. The Court clarified that 'organized crime' encompasses not just violence but also intimidation and coercion, and 'other advantage' extends beyond mere pecuniary benefit to include establishing territorial supremacy. Acquittals and quashing of prior cases did not negate the finding of continuing unlawful activity. The Court dismissed the appeal, noting that the appellant's absconder status further disentitled him to relief under Article 136 of the Constitution.
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