India, Nov. 29 -- A special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court in Mumbai on Friday framed charges against nine accused in the 2021 murder of Bhandup-based food stall owner Suraj Mehra, alias Nepali, formally paving the way for the trial to begin.

Special Judge Mahesh K Jadhav held that the prosecution had placed adequate material on record to proceed against the accused. Charges were framed under multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code relating to murder, grievous hurt, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, conspiracy, wrongful confinement and destruction of evidence, along with sections dealing with acts committed with a common intention.

These were read with sections of the Arms Act and the Maharashtra P...