Salem was extradited from Portugal in 2005 after a long legal battle. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, which caused massive destruction in the city.
Mumbai: Gangster Abu Salem, who was convicted for his role in the 1993 Bombay blasts, has filed a plea in the Bombay High Court asking for his early release from prison. He claims that as per the extradition agreement between India and Portugal, he has completed 25 years in jail and should be freed.
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Salem’s Plea in Bombay High Court Salem’s petition was brought to the attention of the Bombay High Court on February 17. The case was mentioned before a bench comprising Justice Sarang Kotwal and Justice SM Modak.
The judges have agreed to hear the matter on March 10.
Salem was extradited from Portugal in 2005 after a long legal battle. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts, which caused massive destruction in the city.
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Supreme Court’s 2022 Decision In June 2022, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Salem must be released by the Central government once he completes 25 years in jail as per the extradition terms between India and Portugal.
The Supreme Court had made this decision after Salem had earlier filed a plea seeking a reduction in his sentence. While the top court stated that it could not commute his sentence, it ruled that the government must follow the extradition agreement and grant him remission once he completes 25 years.
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The bench said “The government is bound to exercise its remission powers to release Salem as per the treaty once he completes 25 years in jail.”
As Salem now claims he has completed 25 years behind bars, he has approached the Bombay High Court for remission of his sentence. The court will decide whether the government must release him as per the extradition agreement.
