Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay High Court the proposal for the premature release of extradited gangster Abu Salem was pending and a decision would be taken shortly. Salem, extradited from Portugal in November 2005, has served 19 years in prison, according to an affidavit filed in response to his plea seeking release.
Salem, in his petition filed through advocate Farhana Shah, claimed he has served 25 years, including remission for good behavior. His plea states that as per the extradition terms, India had assured Portugal he wouldn’t face the death penalty or imprisonment beyond 25 years.
Affidavit filed by Sugriv Dhapate, joint secretary of the home department, said the proposal for Salem’s premature release is under consideration and will be decided shortly.
Affidavit by Suhas Warke, additional director general of police and inspector general of prisons, said as per provisions of the Maharashtra Prison Manual, the proposal for Salem’s premature release has been submitted to the state government for approval along with the opinion of the advisory board and the trial court.
“The petitioner Abu Salem has a history which is not a palatable one at all. He has committed many offences in India. Thereafter he absconded to a foreign country,” Warke said in the affidavit.
It added that Salem has been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in two different cases. As per the affidavit, till March 2025, Salem has undergone imprisonment of 19 years and hence the period of 25 years is not completed till date.
“The final date of completion of 25 years of the petitioner (Salem) will be decided only after a decision is taken on his premature release by the home department of the Maharashtra government,” it said.
Salem moved HC after the TADA court rejected his plea on December 10, 2024. His petition says he spent nearly 12 years as an undertrial and over 9 years as a convict, earning over 3 years remission. With all counted, he claims to have served “over 24 years and 9 months” by the end of 2024.
