Bombay High Court Dismisses Abu Salem's Premature Plea for Release

The Bombay High Court has dismissed the plea of notorious gangster Abu Salem for immediate release, labeling it as 'premature and misconceived'. Salem argued that he had completed a 25-year sentence under the extradition treaty from Portugal. However, the bench of Justices A S Gadkari and Kamal Khata clarified that his jail term would conclude in 2030, emphasizing that the 25-year term is non-negotiable and unaffected by ordinary prison remissions.

Salem, extradited from Portugal in 2005, cited good behavior as a basis for his release in 2025. The court refuted this, insisting that remissions can't reduce the set 25-year term from the extradition treaty. The justices referenced a Supreme Court decision mandating remission calculations only a month before a prisoner's expected release, thereby nullifying Salem's claim.

The court further explained that the 25-year term serves as a substantial remission compared to a life sentence, dictated by international obligations. Although Salem's original life sentences related to the 1993 Mumbai serial bombings were commuted, there remains a pending decision by the government on any potential premature release based on newly calculated remissions. The Indian government, however, maintains that his actual time served remains under consideration, as it aligns with the agreement made with Portugal.