A sessions court Tuesday disposed a plea by extradited gangster Abu Salem [Images] 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 [Images].

Judge Abhay Thipsay asked defence lawyer Ashok Sarogi to file a fresh application on February 2 when Salem would be produced before him for remand.

• Abu Salem extradited

The judge said he had not ordered the police to produce Salem in his court Tuesday to hear the allegations and observed that apparently there was some confusion in Sarogi's mind.

The court said Salem's plea would be heard on February 2 and there was no urgency to move the court earlier in this regard.

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

He had also alleged the police had threatened Salem to make a confession or else they would force him to make such a statement.

The lawyer had also claimed the Crime Branch was not allowing Salem to read religious scriptures like the Ramayana and the Quran in jail.

He said he had handed them over to police officers, but they refused to give them to Salem. Sarogi submitted that Salem had expressed his desire to read both the books and urged that the gangster be allowed.