India, Feb. 21 -- A special court under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) has refused to discharge Salim Iqbal Qureshi, also known as Salim Fruit, in a high-profile extortion case allegedly linked to fugitive gangster Chhota Shakil. The court said there was enough material on record to proceed with the trial and framed charges under various sections of the IPC as well as sections of MCOCA.

The case stems from a 2022 complaint filed by a city-based businessman. He alleged that he was targeted for Rs.62 lakh after hosting a birthday party at a five-star hotel in February 2021, attended by over 200 guests. According to the prosecution, the plan to extort money was hatched at the event and carried out by members of a syn...