The court had dismissed Salem’s plea seeking immediate release, calling it ‘premature’ and ‘misconceived’
Gangster Abu Salem’s plea dismissed by SC: The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed gangster Abu Salem’s plea seeking premature release in 1993 Mumbai serial blast case. Abu Salem is currently locked up in Nashik Central Jail.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta upheld the April order of the Bombay High Court which had dismissed his petition seeking immediate release as ‘premature’ and ‘misconceived’.The apex court delivered its verdict on Salem’s plea challenging the high court order. A detailed order of judgment is yet to come.
On March12, 1993, a series of bomb blasts occurred in 12 different areas of Mumbai. A total of 257 people were killed and nearly 800 injured. Investigations revealed that Abu Salem was the kingpin of the entire conspiracy. He was also convicted of murder. Based on these charges TADA court sentenced him 25 years jail. Abu Salem sought release from custody, arguing that he had already served 25 years in jail in India as required under the terms of his extradition from Portugal.
According to the extradition terms agreed upon by India and Portugal, Salem cannot be given the death penalty, and his prison term cannot exceed 25 years. The apex court upheld the Bombay High Court’s view that his plea was premature and that his 25-year sentence period will be completed in 2030.
