Thursday, March 9 2006 17:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: A special court today (Mar 09 2006) directed CBI to file its reply on a petition filed by extradited gangster Abu Salem retracting his confession in regard to his alleged role in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.

Designated judge P D Kode asked CBI to file reply and adjourned the hearing on the petition to March 14.

On March 7, Salem's lawyer, Ashok Sarogi told the court that the statement was recorded under pressure and hence his client wished to retract it.

Salem had given a confessional statement before CBI DIG O P Chatwal in November last year, admitting his alleged role in the serial bomb blasts. Later, he had confirmed the same before a magistrate.

The confession was placed on record before the designated TADA court last week after CBI filed a chargesheet against Salem in the serial bomb blasts case.

Salem, in his confessional statement, pointed out how he had transported arms and ammunition from Bhiwandi in Thane district to the residence of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, in presence of other bomb blasts accused, namely Magnum Video owners Sameer Hingora and Hanif Kadavala.

However, retracting his confession, Salem said he had delivered a consignment to Sanjay but was not aware that it contained arms. He also retracted his version that he had gone to the actor's house for the second time to collect the weapons left there.