City police are likely to apply stringent provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against the seven accused, arrested for allegedly murdering senior crime journalist Jyotirmoy Dey in Powai.

According to police, MCOCA can be applied, if at least two members of the organised crime gang have at least two chargesheets registered against them.

In the chargesheet, besides the arrested seven accused, underworld don Chhota Rajan's name would also be included, a crime branch officer said.

Rajan has several criminal cases against him in the city, whereas the seven accused also have criminal background.

"It is a fit case where MCOCA can be applied against the accused. I think only paper work is left to apply the stringent act against them," said the official.

On Sunday night, police arrested Rohee Thangappan Joseph alias Satish Kalya (34), Abhijeet Shinde (28), Arun Dake (27), Sachin Gaikwad (27), Anil Waghmode (35), Nilesh Shendge (34) and Mangesh Agawane (25) in connection with Dey's murder.

Joint police commissioner Himanshu Roy (Crime) said, "We are examining all possible legal options to see if the MCOCA can be applied against the accused."

J Dey (56), working with the city-based English tabloid Mid Day, was shot dead by four motorcycle-borne assailants in suburban Powai on June 11.