A local court today extended the police custody of aspiring Bollywood actress Preeti Jain and Names Pardesi, aide of gangster turned politician Arun Gawli, to September 21. The two were charged with conspiracy to murder film-maker Madhur Bhandarkar.

Both were produced before metropolitan magistrate K V Shete who remanded them to further custody.

Opposing their custody, defence lawyer Nilesh Pavaskar said investigations were over and police had recorded statements of the accused. Hence there was no need to keep them in custody.

He also moved a bail application on behalf of Preeti and Pardesi. The court has asked the prosecution to file its reply.

Both Pardesi and Preeti were taken to Bangalore early this week for polygraph and brain mapping tests. Later they were brought back to Mumbai.