Abu Salem seeks reduced jail time in case sentencing

Salem was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2015 for the murder of Pradeep Jain, a builder in Mumbai.

In 2015, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Mumbai-based builder Pradeep Jain, who was killed in 1995. In September 2017, Salem was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, which had claimed 257 lives.

Gangster Abu Salem, who was convicted in connection with the Mumbai 1993 serial blasts, has sought that the period he has undergone in jail since his arrest in 2005, should be set-off against the sentence awarded to him. Salem has said that while he has been convicted in two separate cases, the 1993 blasts and the 1995 murder of a city-based builder, the authorities have only set off his sentence in the former. A set-off means that the time since his arrest will be considered as part of the sentence given at the time of his conviction.

Salem was extradited to India from Portugal in 2005. His plea states that as per the extradition agreement between the two countries, he cannot be given the death penalty, life imprisonment or any prison term exceeding 25 years.

Salem was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2015 for the murder of Pradeep Jain, a builder in Mumbai, and in 2017, the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. Salem has said that as per the extradition treaty, he cannot be kept in jail beyond 25 years and hence his sentence should be set off in both cases to include the time from his arrest.

Story continues below this ad

The CBI on Monday said that the application was premature. It said that the Supreme Court had in an order on July 11, 2022, held that as Salem was arrested on October 12, 2005, the state has to send documents related to the 1993 serial blasts case to the President of India or to decide on his early release, a month before the completion of his 25 years sentence.

The CBI has said that no action contrary to this order has been brought before the court and hence a plea seeking contempt of the court cannot be filed.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
abu salem