Justice Prevails: Delhi HC Grants Bail in MCOCA Case After 9 Years of Undertrial Custody ; Jitender Dixit @ Bantu v. State (NCT of Delhi)
In a significant judgment reinforcing the right to personal liberty and speedy trial, the Delhi High Court granted regular bail to Jitender Dixit @ Bantu in a case registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), 1999 . The court observed that nearly nine years of undertrial custody without substantial trial progress was unconstitutional . 🕵️♂️ The Case at a Glance: FIR No. 55/2016 , registered under Sections 3(1), 3(4), and 3(5) of MCOCA. Accusations: Member of the “Manoj Morkheri” gang, allegedly involved in a syndicate carrying out extortion, murder, kidnapping, and organized crimes. Dixit was arrested in May 2016 and remained in custody ever since. The trial is still pending , with only 35 out of 60 witnesses examined as of May 2025. 👨⚖️ Applicant’s Argument: Advocate Tarun Gahlot argued that: The prolonged incarceration violates Article 21 (Right to Liberty) . There is no evidence of "continuing unlawful activity...