A Delhi court framed charges against underworld don Abu Salem for extortion and criminal conspiracy, paving the way for his trial in a seven-year-old case, on Tuesday.

Salem was produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja, who framed the criminal charges against him. The extradited gangster was brought to the Capital from Bhopal under tight security.

The prosecution submitted that there was a “positive” forensics report on intercepted calls made by Salem, which are sufficient evidence to frame charges against the gangster.

Arvind Shukla, Salem’s counsel, however, argued there was not enough evidence to frame charges against him. Shukla also moved a bail application, which was listed for hearing by the court on July 14.

The court ordered the trial of the accused on charges of extortion, criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation under various sections of the IPC after hearing the contentions of both sides.

Three other accused, C P Rai, Ishtiyaq Ahmed and Sadiq Aliin, have already been charged in the case in 2003.

The trial will begin on July 21, with the recording of statements by witnesses in the case.

Salem was extradited from Portugal in 2005 and was brought here on November 26 last year, and has since then been lodged in the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai.

Salem has also been booked for making threatening calls to Rajat Nagrath, owner of Delhi-based Allied Communication, and demanding Rs 1 crore in 2002.