Former public works department Minister Churchill Alemao was today remanded to four-day police custody by a court in Panaji in connection with the Louis Berger bribery case hours after his arrest by the Goa crime branch, which is now closing in on former CM Digambar Kamat.

Alemao, who was minister in the previous Congress government led by Digambar Kamat, was taken into custody from Agassaim village in South Goa around midnight. His bail petition would be heard by the district and sessions court tomorrow.

The Goa police claimed to have "clinching evidence" against Alemao who contended that his arrest was part of a "political game", a charge rejected by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, heading the BJP-led government in Goa.

A senior crime branch official, requesting anonymity, said, "Alemao was arrested as we got clinching evidence against him after interrogating other accused. We might need custodial interrogation of Kamat too."

Before being produced in court, 66-year-old Alemao told reporters that his arrest was part of a political game.