The Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed by gangster Abu Salem who sought release from custody on the basis that he had already served 25 years of his sentence in India, as required by the extradition agreement with Portugal.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta upheld the Bombay High Court’s earlier decision to reject Salem’s request for immediate release, calling the petition “premature” and “misconceived.” The apex court delivered its verdict on the petition that challenged the high court’s April ruling.
Salem, convicted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blast case and sentenced to life imprisonment, was extradited from Portugal on 11 November 2005 after a prolonged legal battle. The extradition terms agreed by India and Portugal prohibit a death sentence and cap the prison term at 25 years.
In its order, the high court explained that Salem’s attempt to reduce the 25‑year limit by citing earned remissions was legally unsustainable. It noted that Salem’s first arrest on 11 November 2005 means the 25‑year period will expire in November 2030. The Supreme Court’s decision follows a July 2022 ruling that the government was bound to honour its commitment to Portugal and release Salem upon completion of the 25‑year term.
