In the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, the Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court that gangster Abu Salem must serve a full 60-year life term with no early release.
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MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case has said gangster Abu Salem’s plea for early release, stating he must complete a full 60-year sentence before any remission can be considered.
Background
Abu Salem, a key conspirator in the 1993 Mumbai serial bombings, was extradited from Portugal in 2005 after India provided a sovereign assurance that he would not face the death penalty or be imprisoned for more than 25 years. This condition was crucial in securing Salem’s extradition from Lisbon, where he had been arrested in 2002 after being on the run for nearly a decade.
The bombings, orchestrated by underworld figures with alleged international links, resulted in 257 deaths and injured over 1,400 people, marking one of India’s deadliest terror attacks.
Earlier in 2025, Salem approached the High Court through his lawyer, Advocate Farhana Shah, arguing that he was entitled to be released by March 31, 2025, having served 25 years, including the time spent as an undertrial and remissions earned through good behavior.
Salem’s plea relied heavily on the sovereign assurance India gave to Portugal, citing a Supreme Court judgment that reinforced this commitment. He claimed that the denial of release would amount to a breach of international diplomatic promises.
However, in an affidavit filed on July 30, 2025, the Maharashtra government, through Nashik Road Central Prison Superintendent Aruna A Mugutrao, rejected Salem’s claim. The affidavit clarified that the 25-year limit applied to actual time served, not including any remission or sentence reduction.
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The state government emphasized that remission is a privilege, not a right, and cannot override the seriousness of Salem’s crimes. The affidavit said,
“Salem has a history which is not a palatable one at all. After committing many crimes, he fled the country.”
Despite recommendations from the prison Advisory Board, trial court, police, and district officials in favor of considering early release, the Home Department chose to deny remission, citing the need for justice for the victims of the blasts.
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