Politics · India Bureau
Supreme Court rejects Abu Salem's plea on 25-year prison term completion
The apex court has dismissed a petition by underworld-linked convict Abu Salem, who argued he had completed his 25-year sentence in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. Salem was extradited from Portugal in 2005 after India gave an assurance limiting his imprisonment to 25 years.
LSN India ·
The Supreme Court has rejected a plea by Abu Salem, a former operative in underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's criminal network, challenging his continued detention on grounds that he has completed his 25-year prison term. Salem had sought relief based on a sovereign assurance provided by the Indian government to Portuguese authorities at the time of his extradition in 2005.
The extradition followed Salem's arrest in Portugal and was contingent on India's commitment that the convicted criminal would not face imprisonment exceeding 25 years. Salem has been serving sentences in connection with his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, which killed over 250 people and remains one of India's deadliest terror attacks.
The court's dismissal of Salem's plea means he will continue his incarceration as determined by the judicial process. The case highlights the complexities surrounding extradition agreements and the interpretation of sovereign assurances granted during international legal proceedings.
Salem's conviction stems from his alleged role in facilitating the 1993 attacks, which were orchestrated by the D-Company under Dawood Ibrahim's leadership. The case has drawn continued legal scrutiny over the years as Salem has pursued various remedies through the court system.