A special court in Mumbai has rejected gangster Abu Salem’s plea opposing his planned transfer from Taloja prison in Navi Mumbai. Salem, who is serving a life sentence in connection with the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, argued in his application that the decision to move him was a “conspiracy to kill him,” especially since he was nearing potential release in a few months.
According to Salem’s application, his current confinement in Taloja prison is secure, whereas other prisons in Maharashtra could expose him to threats from rival gang members. The jail administration countered this by stating that Salem’s current cell requires reconstruction and that there are no suitable safe cells available for him at Taloja.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Special Judge B.D. Shelke, who oversees cases under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, dismissed Salem’s plea. The court, however, directed the Inspector General of Prisons in Pune to issue appropriate instructions to ensure Salem’s safety during his transfer to Nashik Central Prison as planned. The judge also instructed the Nashik prison authorities to maintain the convict’s safety and security.
The court mandated that the Inspector General regularly review Salem’s safety and submit reports every four months. It further specified that its order should not be executed until July 3, as Salem’s lawyer, Taraq Sayyed, indicated intentions to file an appeal.
Abu Salem, extradited from Portugal in 2005, received a life sentence in 2017 from the TADA court for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.
