Jail authorities complain to court about Abu Salem's misbehaviour

MUMBAI: The Taloja jail authorities have written to the special TADA court here, complaining about alleged misbehaviour of the extradited gangster Abu Salem who is facing trial in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

They have sought a direction to him to desist from such behaviour.

Salem, in his reply submitted in the court, has denied the allegations. The court will hear the matter on August 19.

According to the letter, two jail constables are posted outside his cell. For the past few days, he is trying to pressurise the constables and other officers, demanding that nobody should be posted outside his cell.

"Salem has been threatening that he will bang his head on the iron grill and file a complaint in the TADA court," the letter said.

On July 22 this year, the officials got information about a cellphone hidden in the jail, so inspection was carried out.

But Salem didn't allow the officials to check his cell and when the jail superintendent insisted on checking Salem, according to the letter he showed a book written on him and said, "I am a big don, first find out who I am and then put (sic) your rules on me."

It was suspected that he may procure mobile phones, the letter says.

But the gangster said in his reply that the allegations were false and the superintendent was harassing him.

Earlier this year, Salem was sentenced to life term in builder Pradeep Jain murder case.