Supreme Court Rejects Gangster Abu Salems Plea Seeking Release from Custody

New Delhi, September 11:- The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by gangster Abu Salem seeking his release from custody on the ground that he had completed the mandatory 25 years of imprisonment in India under the terms of his extradition from Portugal.
A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta upheld the Bombay High Court’s April order, which had dismissed his petition seeking immediate release, describing it as "premature" and "misconceived."
The apex court pronounced its judgment on Salem’s plea challenging the High Court’s order. A detailed judgment is awaited. Salem, who was convicted in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, was extradited from Portugal on November 11, 2005, following a prolonged legal battle. Under the terms of extradition agreed upon by India and Portugal, Salem cannot be sentenced to death, and his prison sentence cannot exceed 25 years.