Gangster and 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Abu Salem has suffered another legal setback after the Supreme Court dismissed his plea seeking premature release from prison.
The Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court’s earlier decision, which had found Salem’s request premature. The ruling means he will not be released at this stage on the basis of his claim that he has already completed 25 years of imprisonment after accounting for remission.
Salem had approached the top court after the Bombay High Court rejected his plea seeking release. His argument was based on the calculation that his period of incarceration, together with the remission available to him, had effectively reached the 25-year threshold.
The Bombay High Court, however, took a different view and held that the relevant 25-year period would be completed only in 2030. Salem subsequently challenged that decision before the Supreme Court.
The apex court has now dismissed his challenge, agreeing with the High Court that the plea for premature release could not be entertained at this stage. The Supreme Court had reserved its order on the matter on July 27.
Salem is serving a life sentence in connection with the 1993 Bombay bombings as well as other criminal cases. He was extradited to India from Portugal in 2005 after years of legal proceedings surrounding his transfer.
He was detained in Lisbon on September 18, 2002. His extradition was subsequently cleared following proceedings before courts in Portugal, including the Lisbon Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court.
Indian authorities took custody of Salem on November 10, 2005, after the extradition process was completed.
The latest Supreme Court ruling does not grant Salem the release he had sought and leaves the 2030 timeline cited by the Bombay High Court in place.
The case has remained closely watched because of the restrictions and assurances surrounding Salem’s extradition from Portugal, as well as his long-running legal efforts concerning his imprisonment and eligibility for release.
