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India has moved the Portugal's Supreme Court challenging Lisbon High Court order revoking the extradition of underworld don Abu Salem. Lisbon High Court had on September 19 ordered revocation of the extradition of Salem, who accused Indian probe agencies of violating the conditions under which he was permitted to be taken to India in November 2005 to face trial in several cases, including the 1993 Mumbai blasts. 'The Indian government has moved an application challenging the Portugal High Court order two-three days ago,' a CBI official said today. The gangster is currently being tried in connection with an extortion case in 2002. In 2002, Salem and his girlfriend actor Monica Bedi were arrested in Lisbon for travelling with fake passports. In November 2005, the CBI won its case and Salem and Bedi were both deported to India. India had given an 'executive assurance' to Portugal that Salem would not be given death penalty or charged with any section of law which entails jail for more than 25 years, once he is extradited. Salem's counsel had approached the Portuguese High Court after the Supreme Court of India dismissed his plea last year and upheld the designated TADA court's decision to frame additional charges against Salem for the 1993 Mumbai blasts in addition to the other grave charges for which he was extradited to face trial in India. If India fails to convince the Portuguese judiciary, Salem may have to be sent back to jail in Lisbon. |
| SOURCE: UNI |
