MUMBAI, 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. The complainant claimed he was threatened, forced to hand over a Range Rover worth about Rs.30 lakh, and made to transfer additional money after being put in fear of serious harm. Over the past few months, the special court discharged several co-accused, ruling that there was not enough evidence against them to justify proceeding under the organised-crime law. These orders significantly narrowed the case. However, the court said Qureshi's role was different and noted that the FIR and charge sheet contained specific allegations against him and he could not seek the relief as the others because the evidence against him was not the same. Rejecting Qureshi's plea, special judge NR Pradhan emphasised that "courts cannot conduct a mini trial at this stage" and that the court's task is limited to assessing whether there exists "sufficient ground for proceeding." The court found that there was enough initial evidence to suggest the acts were part of "continuing unlawful activity". With the discharge plea rejected and charges framed, the trial is set to begin on March 4....