CBI plea in SC to drop 6 extra charges on Salem
The CBI has filed an application before the Supreme Court pleading the court to allow the agency to withdraw six charges against gangster Abu Salem.
The top court had slapped these charges against Salem in September 2010. The CBI in their application has claimed that those charges were “additional” and in alleged violation of the extradition order. The application filed by the CBI on January 30 stated, “The agency seeks to withdraw the additional charges that were framed against accused Abu Salem. These charges are Section 5 and 6 of TADA (P) Act 1987, Section 4 (b) and 5 of Explosive Substances Act, 1908, Section 25 (1-A) 0 (1-B) (a) r/w Section 387 of the Arms Act 1959 and Section 9-B of the Explosives Act 1884. The charges mentioned in the application have been termed as additional charges by the Portuguese court, and it has come to the conclusion that there has been a violation of the Rule of Speciality. Hence, the agency wants to withdraw those charges.”
When contacted, advocate Saba Kureshi, counsel for Salem said, “These are delay tactics opted by the CBI, as they do not wish to send my client back to Portugal. The fact is that the Supreme Court had allowed additional charges against Salem only after the CBI had filed an application seeking permission to slap those charges.”
According to Ms Kureshi, the Portugal court had taken cognisance of the SC order and had terminated Salem’s extradition order.
According to the Portuguese court’s extradition order, it was decided that India would not impose any additional charge against Salem; if filed, it would be considered as illegal. Currently, Salem is being tried for his alleged involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case.
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