India, Feb. 11 -- A special court for cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) on Tuesday framed charges against all 27 accused arrested in connection with the October 2024 murder of senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, paving the way for the trial to commence. All the accused pleaded not guilty after the charges were read out in court.

Fifteen of the 27 accused were produced in court physically from Arthur Road jail and Kalyan jail under tight security arrangements on Tuesday. The remaining 12, lodged in Thane jail, were presented via video conferencing. After recording their pleas, the court posted the matter for further hearing on February 24, when the trial is expected to move into t...