Mumbai police arrests Salem for 1995 murder

The Anti-Terrorist Squad of Mumbai police on Thursday arrested extradited underworld don Abu Salem in a 1995 murder case of real estate developer Pradeep Jain and produced him before a special court which remanded the gangster to police custody till December two. Salem was produced amidst tight security before the designated TADA court of Judge P V Bavkar who remanded him to custody but refused him home food and a meeting with his brother.

However, the judge allowed defence lawyers to meet Salem in jail for 15 minutes every day and directed police to give him good quality food. Hearing Salem's plea apprehending police torture in custody, the court warned police not to subject the accused to third degree methods during interrogation. Police informed the court that Salem would be put in Bhoiwada police station lock up during the period of custody.

Earlier, CBI had arrested Salem soon after his extradition on November 11 in the 1993 bomb blast case. Salem was on Wednesday placed in judicial custody in this case by another TADA court of P D Kode who ruled that no one could seek Salem's custody without its permission.

Hence ATS obtained its approval to seek custody of the accused in 1995 Pradeep Jain murder case. ATS had obtained production warrant from TADA court of P V Bavkar against Salem in Pradeep Jain murder case. Accordingly, TADA Judge P D Kode, in whose custody Salem was placed in 1993 bomb blast case, allowed ATS to seek Salem's custody in Jain murder case.

Abu Salem Extradition: Complete Coverage