India, May 24 -- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state government has invoked the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) for the first time against offences related to cow smuggling, illegal cattle transportation and illegal slaughterhouses, asserting that the move would withstand legal scrutiny.

Speaking on the state government's action against illegal cattle trade and slaughterhouses, Fadnavis said, "For the first time, we have implemented the MCOCA law, and I believe it will be completely justified in court. If anyone does this, MCOCA will be invoked against them."

On weather preparedness and the impact of El Nino, Fadnavis said the state government had put in place a comprehensive plan to deal with ...