Wednesday, February 15 2006 15:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: A special court today (Feb 15 2006) remanded extradited gangster Abu Salem and his alleged aide Shah Alam to judicial custody till March 1, in the case of murder of Ajit Dewani, former secretary to actor Manisha Koirala.

Both were produced today before judge Abhay Thipsay, hearing cases under MCOCA. Salem told the judge he was forced to give a confession and that it was not voluntary, as was being claimed by police. The court has taken Salem's statement on record.

In another development, Shah Alam confessed his role in Ajit Dewani murder case before a magistrate yesterday.

His confession was tabled before the Special MCOCA court today and kept in a sealed cover. Salem is charged with planning the murder of Dewani through his men while Alam faces allegations of playing the role of a conduit between Salem and the killers.

Alam was arrested a fortnight ago, while Salem was taken into custody earlier this year, soon after his extradition from Portugal.

Dewani was murdered in 2001, allegedly by Salem's men as he refused to pay extortion money.