The Delhi High Court today allowed police to drop stringent MCOCA charges from an extortion case against gangster Abu Salem, the order for whose extradition to India has been quashed by the Portuguese Supreme Court allegedly owing to non-observance of extradition terms here.

“The petition of Delhi Police is allowed. The order dated 28 August, 2009 passed by the designated lower court is set aside. The state is permitted to withdraw the charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA),” Justice VK Shali said.