1993 Mumbai serial blasts: HC seeks state response to Abu Salem’s emergency parole plea over brother’s death

After in-charge Chief Public Prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh for government sought time to take instructions from officials concerned to respond to Salem’s plea, the HC granted the same and posted further hearing on January 13.

Salem was placed under arrest on November 24, 2005, and was convicted in the case in September, 2017.

The Supreme Court in July, 2022 had observed that the central government was bound to advise the President to exercise powers of remission to release Salem after he completes 25 years in prison, in accordance with the sovereign assurance given by the Indian government to Portugal at the time of his extradition.

Salem had filed another plea last year seeking remission of his sentence and premature release from jail.

The gangster had claimed that he has completed nearly 25 years in prison as per extradition treaty, therefore, he should get tentative date of release from jail.

The HC in July, last year, while admitting his plea, had prima facie observed that Salem has not completed 25 years of incarceration to qualify for remission of his sentence.

“Prima facie, it appears that, said period of 25 years is yet to be completed including the alleged period of pre-trial detention or incarceration.

Hence, no interim relief,” the HC had noted in its July 7, 2025 order and had sought jail authorities’ response. The plea has not come up for hearing thereafter.