Maharashtra to high court: Abu Salem's early release under consideration

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government has informed Bombay HC that the proposal for premature release of extradited gangster Abu Salem is under consideration, and a decision will be taken on it soon. Salem has spent only 19 years in jail since his extradition from Portugal in Nov 2005, government stated in its affidavit in response to the convicted gangster's plea seeking release from prison.The state government Wednesday submitted two affidavits in response to Salem's petition to a bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Advait Sethna.In his petition filed through advocate Farhana Shah, Salem claimed he had already undergone the 25-year imprisonment term if remission for good behaviour was included. The plea stated when Salem was extradited from Portugal, government had assured that he would not be handed death penalty in any case and that he would not be imprisoned for a term beyond 25 years.The state government, in its affidavit filed by Sugriv Dhapate, joint secretary of home department, said the proposal for Salem's premature release is under consideration and will be decided soon. As per government affidavit, Salem was extradited from Portugal in Nov 2005, and his actual imprisonment was 19 years, three months and 20 days as of Feb 28, 2025."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," another affidavit filed by Suhas Warke, ADGP and inspector general of prisons, stated. pti