Mumbai, Nov 11: Mumbai High Court today admitted an appeal filed by film financier Bharat Shah challenging his conviction by a special court in a case of alleged nexus of Bollywood with the underworld. Justice A S Aguair admitted shah's appeal even as public prosecutor Rohini Salian informed the court that the state too would file an appeal against his conviction to seek enhanced punishment of five years jail term under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The special court had on October 1 sentenced Shah to one year jail under IPC for concealing information about activities of organised crime syndicate but acquitted him of charges under MCOCA for allegedly forging links with gangster Chhota Shakeel.

Shah was sentenced to one years' rigorous imprisonment. However, he was let off the hook as he had already spent 14 months in jail.

Shah has challenged his conviction saying the judge had erred as there was no material evidence against him. He said the conviction was a stigma in his career.

Shah also challenged the special court's order which debarred him from receiving the funds of film `Chori Chori, Chupke Chupke' in future.
In a countermove, Maharashtra government has initiated steps to file an appeal against the order of special court convicting Shah for a year. According to prosecutor Rohini Salian, Shah should have been convicted under a section of MCOCA which attracts five years jail term for possessing knowledge about activities of organised crime syndicate.

Bureau Report