Sunday, January 8 2006 15:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: A special court has issued production warrant against extradited gangster Abu Salem for his alleged complicity in the murder of Ajit Dewani, former secretary to actor Manisha Koirala, in 2001.

The warrant was issued last week by a Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court of designated judge A M Thipsay on a plea made by Mumbai Crime Branch.

The court, however, asked the cops to seek the permission of a TADA court hearing the 1993 Bombay bomb blast case in whose custody Salem has been placed.

The TADA court earlier had ordered that its permission should be taken before Salem's custody was taken in cases other than the 1993 bomb blast case.

Ajit Dewani murder case is one of the two cases probed by the crime branch on the basis of which his extradition was sought from Portugal. The other cases are probed by CBI.

On June 30, 2001, Dewani was killed by two gunmen of Salem outside his office in Oshiwara after he allegedly failed to pay extortion money to the gangster.

After the killing the gunmen fled. However, the next day police arrested accused, Saheblal Giri and Deepak Singh from the airport.

Police believe that Dewani was killed because of gang rivalry. Salem was infuriated as Dewani had started taking orders from Chhota Shakeel gang and ordered his killing.

Police are also probing the allegations that Dewani was killed following a dispute with Salem over overseas distribution rights of Hindi films.

The trial in this case has already begun and 11 witnesses have been examined.

Altogether seven accused have been arrested for their alleged role in the murder of Dewani. Three, including Salem, were shown as wanted accused when the case was registered.