Gangster Abu Salem’s case triggers SC concern about future extraditions

Abu Salem, serving a life sentence for the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts, has argued in the Supreme Court that the punishment of life imprisonment violated the mandates of extradition India had agreed to in 2002.

A gangster’s case triggered concern in the Supreme Court on Tuesday about the “international ramifications” India may face if seen to renege on “solemn” promises made to foreign powers and their courts while securing an extradition.

The court’s apprehension gains significance with the Union government pursuing the extradition of several prominent fugitives, especially those involved in money laundering cases involving crores.

The government would surely need the cooperation of foreign nations to bring the runaways back to stand trial.

The question about India’s commitment to its promises came up during a hearing on the “solemn sovereign assurance” made to a Portugal court to realise the extradition of one-time mob boss Abu Salem.

Salem was arrested in Portugal and extradited to India. He is currently serving a life sentence for the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts.

Salem has argued in the Supreme Court that the punishment of life imprisonment violated the mandates of extradition India had agreed to in 2002.

He said that then Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister L.K. Advani had given a “solemn sovereign assurance” to a Portugal court that he would neither be sentenced to death nor serve more than 25 years in prison.