Portugal HC orders Abu Salem’s extradition

The Portugal High Court has granted extradition of underworld don and main accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts Abu Salem to India for facing trial in offences related to forging of passports and cases of extortion.

According to a communication received by the CBI today, the Portugal High Court had passed a reasoned order as to why Salem should be extradited to India following directions from the Portugal Supreme Court to this effect.

According to the order, India could try him only for offences like forging passport, smuggling of arms into Mumbai and not for heinous crimes like causing activities leading to 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts.

A petition challenging this was already pending in the Portugal Supreme Court. Salem’s girlfriend Monica Bedi was also ordered to be extradited to India last week.