Police Saturday filed a chargesheet in a special court against Abu Salem and his associate for their alleged role in the murder of Ajit Dewani, former secretary to actress Manisha Koirala, three months after the arrest of the gangster following his extradition from Portugal.
Salem and his associate Shah Alam were charged under the provisions of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, IPC and Arms Act.
The chargesheet was filed in the special court of Abhay Thipsay and copies thereof were furnished to the duo.
Salem's lawyers opposed the chargesheet saying the Indian government had assured a Portugal court that they were seeking extradition of Salem only for the purpose of trial. In this case, investigations had been done and thus extradition conditions had been violated, they said.
The duo have been charged under IPC sections 120-b (conspiracy) read with sections 449 (trespass to commit murder), 302 (murder) and 506 (II) (intimidation to cause death). They have also been charged under the Arms Act.
Besides, Salem and Alam have also been charged under MCOCA namely section 3 (i) (murder by organised crime syndicate), 3 (2) (conspiracy to murder) and 3 (4) (member of organised crime syndicate).
Salem had earlier confessed to his role in the murder, but later retracted his statement saying it was taken under duress.
Police has alleged that Salem had hired assailants who killed Dewani on his instructions after he (Dewani) failed to pay the extortion amount.