MUMBAI, November 11: The Mazagaon Court today recorded music director Shravan's statements in a case related to Nadeem's alleged involvement in music baron Gulshan Kumar's murder on August 12.

The recording of the statement comes at a time when the Bow Street Magistrate has refused to grant custody of Nadeem on technical grounds early this month.

Investigating officer in the Gulshan Kumar case, assistant commissioner L R Rao said Shravan's statements were recorded before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate V P Taware of 46 Mazagaon Court. ``We are trying to overcome some technical questions posed by the London Court,'' Rao said.

According to police sources, Shravan was earlier grilled by crime branch sleuths on three occasions. Shravan, along with Nadeem and a host of Bollywood personalities, had attended a musical bash organised by druglord Vicky Goswami at Dubai on June 12. The party was attended by some members of the Dawood Ibrahim gang. Mumbai police believe the plot to kill Gulshan Kumar was hatched during the bash.

Congress party workers injured

At least 15 Congress workers were injured after police burst tear-gas shells and resorted to lathi-charge to disperse them when they attempted to stop the demolition of an unauthorised hutment colony by forest department officials at Kurar village on the outskirts of Malad. Ram Pandagle, president of north Mumbai district Congress and former MLA, was among those injured. Police said a case of rioting has been registered against the Congress workers. They were arrested and later released.

CP blasts Abu Asim Azmi

Police commissioner Ronald Mendonca today said Samajwadi Party (SP) city chief Abu Asim Azmi had committed a ``gross contempt of court'' by issuing a legal notice to him.

In a statement here, Mendonca alleged the SP leader and his lawyer, Majeed Memon, were interfering with the administration of justice as the writ petition filed by Azmi on police encounters was pending before the High Court.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.