Supreme Court Rejects Abu Salem’s Bid for Release After 25 Years
The Supreme Court has rejected a plea filed by gangster Abu Salem, who is serving a life sentence for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case. Salem had asked the court to order his release, claiming that he had already completed the 25-year period mentioned in the extradition agreement between India and Portugal.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed Salem’s appeal and said that it had no merit. The Supreme Court’s decision came after Salem had earlier made a similar request before the Bombay High Court, which also refused to grant him relief.
Abu Salem was once associated with the underworld network led by Dawood Ibrahim. He was wanted in connection with several serious criminal cases, including his role in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and other killings linked to the case.
Salem was extradited from Portugal to India in 2005. Before agreeing to his extradition, the Indian government had given assurances to Portugal regarding the maximum period of imprisonment he could face. The assurance stated that he would not be imprisoned for more than 25 years.
The issue before the Supreme Court was mainly about how the 25-year period should be calculated. The government maintained that the period began when Salem was extradited to India in 2005. Under this calculation, his 25-year period would end in 2030.
Salem, however, argued that the period should be counted from 2002. He was detained in Portugal that year following an Interpol notice, and his legal team argued that this period should be considered when calculating the 25-year limit.
His lawyer also argued that Salem had spent time as an undertrial and that prison remissions should be taken into account. According to the defence, these periods could reduce the remaining time he would have to spend in prison.
The Supreme Court did not accept Salem’s argument. The court observed that even if the calculation suggested by Salem was considered, he had still not completed 25 years of imprisonment.
Salem was given life sentences in India in separate cases. In 2015, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. He later received another life sentence in 2017 in a murder case connected to the underworld.
The 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts remain one of the major terror attacks in India’s history. A series of explosions in Mumbai killed and injured many people and caused widespread destruction. The case led to a lengthy investigation and several convictions.
Salem’s extradition from Portugal was an important part of the legal proceedings against him. The conditions agreed upon between India and Portugal became particularly important when Salem later sought relief from his long prison sentence.
The latest Supreme Court ruling means Salem will not be released based on his claim that he has completed the 25-year period. The court’s observation also makes clear that his calculation of the imprisonment period did not support his demand for immediate release.
The case highlights the complicated legal issues that can arise when an accused person is extradited under specific conditions agreed upon by two countries. It also shows how courts must consider extradition assurances while interpreting the period of imprisonment.
For now, Abu Salem remains in prison and must continue serving his sentence. His latest attempt to secure release has been rejected by both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.