The Bombay High Court dismissed gangster Abu Salem plea seeking remission and early release from life sentence in 1993 blasts case. Bench of Justices Ajey S Gadkari and Kamal R Khata rejected reduction request reiterating remission depends on legal criteria
The Bombay High Court dismissed a petition by gangster Abu Salem seeking remission of his life sentence and an early release from prison. Salem is currently serving a life term following his conviction in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case.
A Bench comprising Justices Ajey S Gadkari and Kamal R Khata rejected Salem’s request for a reduction in his jail term and a tentative date for release. Remission, in general, refers to a benefit granted to prisoners through sentence reduction, typically considering factors such as good conduct.
ALSO READ: You are Convicted Under TADA: Supreme Court Declines Abu Salem’s Plea for Release
Salem approached the High Court after a special TADA court in December 2024 turned down his plea that he had already completed 25 years in custody in line with the terms of India’s extradition agreement with Portugal. His counsel, Advocate Farhana Shah, asked the High Court to direct the authorities to determine a likely release date.
Salem was extradited to India from Portugal on November 11, 2005. He was taken into custody on November 24 and, since then, has faced trials in relation to multiple offences. Last year, he was transferred from Taloja Central Prison to Nashik Central Prison.
He was convicted in 2017 in connection with the 1993 blasts case. Additionally, in 2015, Salem received a life sentence for the 1995 murder of Mumbai-based builder Pradeep Jain.
In July 2022, the Supreme Court had clarified that while the Union government is required to advise the President to grant remission to Salem after he completes 25 years of imprisonment, it would not allow the sentence to be shortened or commuted before that time is reached.
In October 2025, Salem told a special court that he had completed 23 years and eight months in custody, including time spent as an undertrial, and he sought that the remission he earned under prison rules should also be taken into account. He requested directions for the authorities to calculate and declare his tentative release date.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), opposed the petition and argued it was without merit. Singh submitted that the government’s assurance about the 25-year cap would only apply once Salem completes that period on November 10, 2030.
According to an MHA affidavit filed in May 2025, Salem had spent 19 years, 5 months, and 21 days in custody as of March 31, 2025. The Ministry also alleged that Salem was trying to combine separate periods of incarceration arising from different convictions in order to claim that he had completed his sentence.
In July 2025, the High Court observed that Salem had not yet completed 25 years of imprisonment, noting that his custody began on October 12, 2005. Salem then moved the Supreme Court.
On February 16, 2026, the Supreme Court allowed Salem to withdraw his plea and granted him liberty to approach the High Court for an early hearing. After the final hearing conducted on March 26, the case was kept reserved for orders.
FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE