India, March 8 -- A special court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) refused to discharge one of the accused in the 2020 murder of Juhu-based builder Munaf Shaikh.

The court held that the material collected by investigators, including witness statements linking him to the alleged conspiracy, was sufficient to proceed with the trial. The court added that the law did not permit it to conduct a "mini trial" at the stage of deciding discharge pleas.

The accused, Khan, is facing trial along with others for offences including murder, criminal conspiracy and common intention under the Indian Penal Code, as well as provisions of the Maharashtra Police Act and the MCOCA.

According to the prosecution, Shaikh was stabbed...