Abu Salem’s lawyer asks court to set his client free

Mumbai: Citing the jail terms served by other convicts for similar crime, 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict Abu Salem’s lawyer on Monday told the court that his client should be set free.

Salem’s lawyer Sudeep Pasbola told special TADA court judge G.A.Sanap that other accused in the case who had committed same offences, were awarded an eight year jail-term. According to Mr Pasbola, Salem has been in prison for over 11 years, so he should be set free. Salem was brought to Mumbai in November 2005 after his extradition by Portugal. Mr Pasbola argued that government has to follow the extradition conditions.

Mr Pasbola said that the prosecution, court and government have unfairly treated Salem. He should be released as part of the period already undergone by him. “The period of his arrest should be counted from the day he was detained in Portugal, not since the time he was extradited and arrested here in India,” he said.

The treaty states that he cannot be sentenced to death or 25 plus years in jail. “The CBI first submitted that they are asking for extreme sentence, later it submitted that its hands are tied and that the court cannot give death,” argued Mr Pasbola.