India, June 26 -- Following the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad hooch tragedy that claimed 22 lives, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced it will invoke the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the prime accused, Yogesh Wankhede. The government also announced financial assistance of Rs.5 lakh each for the families of all the victims.

The announcements were made during the ongoing Maharashtra Legislative Council session after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC Amit Gorkhe raised the issue in the house.

Responding to the discussion, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam said that the process of invoking MCOCA against the main accused has been initiated.

In a written reply tabled in the house, Chief M...