The hopes of Abu Salem’s release have received a big blow from the Supreme Court. Salem had claimed that he has completed 25 years of jail sentence in India, hence he should now be released. But the Supreme Court rejected his demand.
The Supreme Court also upheld the decision of the Bombay High Court, in which Salem’s petition was declared premature and filed on wrong grounds. Abu Salem, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, was brought to India from Portugal in 2005.
What did the Supreme Court say?
The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta gave its verdict on Salem’s petition. The court upheld the Bombay High Court’s order in April, which had termed the petition demanding Salem’s immediate release as premature and ill-founded. The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected Salem’s petition challenging the High Court’s decision. However, the detailed decision of the court is awaited. After the order comes out, it will be clear on what basis the court rejected his arguments.
How was Abu Salem brought to India?
Abu Salem was deported from Portugal to India on 11 November 2005 after a long legal dispute. While bringing Abu Salem back from Portugal to India, some conditions were agreed upon between India and Portugal. Citing these conditions, Salem had now demanded his release in the Supreme Court.
What were the conditions for bringing it to India?
According to the agreement between India and Portugal, Abu Salem could not be given death sentence in India. Apart from this, his jail term was not to exceed 25 years. Salem made this condition the main basis of his demand for release. He said that his 25 years in jail in India has been completed, so he should be released now. However, after the lower court and the Bombay High Court, now the Supreme Court has also rejected the demand for his immediate release.
Is Salem guilty of Mumbai blasts?
Abu Salem is guilty in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. In this case, the serial blasts in Mumbai had shocked the entire country. After bringing Salem to India, legal action was taken against him in this case and other criminal cases. At present, the path for Salem’s immediate release has not been cleared after the Supreme Court’s decision. Now everyone’s eyes are on the detailed decision of the court.