Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has denied bail to Chhota Shakeel's aide and relative Salim Qureshi alias Salim Fruit in an extortion case.

Qureshi, who is the husband of Chhota Shakeel s wife s sister, is accused of demanding ransom of Rs 50 lakh from a Mumbai-based businessman. The ransom amount was later negotiated down to Rs five lakh.

Qureshi was based in Dubai at the time. Police laid a trap and arrested two of his associates in Mumbai when they came to collect the ransom at a suburban hotel.

Qureshi himself was arrested in November 2006 and was booked under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

According police, Qureshi was part of Shakeel's extortion business.

The MCOCA court had earlier rejected his bail application.

Justice V K Tahilramani yesterday rejected his appeal, holding that statements the of co-accused were enough evidence for refusing him bail.

Source : PTI