Monday, January 30 2006 18:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Extradited gangster Abu Salem today (Jan 30,206) moved a local court alleging he was being tortured in custody and threatened by the police to make a confession in the murder case of Ajit Dewani, former secretary to actress Manisha Koirala.

Judge Abhay Thipsay ordered the police to produce Salem in his court tomorrow to hear the allegations levelled by him.

Salem's lawyer Ashok Sarogi filed a petition alleging the gangster was given electric shocks and administered a peculiar type of oil which causes irritation and discomfort.

He said the police had 'threatened Salem to make a confession or else they would 'force' him to make such a statement. Sarogi said Salem had disclosed this to him during a meeting in jail.

The lawyer claimed the Crime Branch were not allowing Salem to read religious books in jail. He said he had handed over the books to police officers but they refused to give them to Salem.

Sarogi submitted that Salem had expressed his desire to read the Ramayana and the Quran and urged that the accused be allowed to read them.

Salem's lawyer further claimed that police did not follow the Supreme Court guidelines in letter and spirit as they did not allow advocates and the accused within close distance for an interview.