Mumbai: A special court today (Apr 30, 2004) granted time till June 7 to the city police commissioner A N Roy to consider invoking Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against sub-inspector Daya Nayak for his alleged links with Pakistan-based gangster Chhota Shakeel.

Roy had been directed earlier to take a decision on invoking MCOCA against the cop by today. However, the police chief sought time until June 7 on the ground that he was busy making arrangements for Lok Sabha polls and hence could not proceed in the matter.

Hearing a private complaint filed by scribe Ketan Tirodkar, designated judge A P Bhangale on March 8 referred the case papers to the police chief to consider obtaining sanction from the competent authority under MCOCA to prosecute Nayak who has gunned down 70 gangsters in encounters.

Under section 23 (2) of MCOCA, no court can take cognizance of an offence unless sanction was obtained from the competent authority.

Tirodkar had filed a complaint alleging that Nayak had taken Rs two crore from Shakeel to bribe higher-ups to transfer police officers who were not favourable to the underworld.

Asking the court to grant him pardon, Tirodkar said he was part of the conspiracy and had accepted money along with Nayak from Shakeel's men.

He also alleged that film "Kagaar" on life of sub-inspector Daya Nayak was made at the instance of Shakeel.

Nayak was transferred early this year from crime branch to Charkop police station in suburban Kandivali.