Actor Salman Khan [Images] has landed in more trouble, with Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil informing the state assembly on Wednesday that phone calls were made from the star's mobile phone to gangster Abu Salem [Images] in the year 2001.

'These phone calls were made between August 28 and October 25, 2001,' Patil told the state assembly.

However, he told the house it had to be verified whether the voice on the phone was indeed that of Salman Khan.

'We have sent the tapes to the forensic laboratory in Chandigarh to ascertain if the voice was that of Salman Khan,' Patil stated.

"Additional Police Commissioner K L Bishnoi and Assistant Police Commissioner T K Yengde will probe the case further," Patil said

Khan's phone was tapped during the Chori Chori Chupke Chupke [Images] controversy involving financier Bharat Shah. Patil, however, did not mention why the tapes were not produced in court during the trial.

What is the next step in the ongoing controversy? Noted criminal lawyer Majeed Memon said, "The authenticity of the tape, authenticity of the conversation and the nature of the talk will have to be taken into consideration before any action is taken."

"Moreover, the content of the conversation is very important. We cannot jump to conclusions and say what will happen tomorrow. It is too early to comment on what action can be taken against Salman Khan by police," Memon added.

He also stated that the fundamental question needed to be answered, as to why the Mumbai police sat on the tapes for four years and did not take any action.

Niteen Pradhan, another noted criminal lawyer said, "I feel this case is becoming more like the Bofors case. It is going hopelessly against the truth of the matter. I don't think anything will come out of this case."

Public prosecutor Rohini Salian pointed out, "There has to be a complaint first to the police and only then can action be taken."

She also added that the police needed to verify many things before taking action against Salman Khan.

Complete coverage: The Bharat Shah case