SC to deliver verdict on Abu Salem plea tomorrow

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will tomorrow pronounce its verdict on gangster Abu Salem's plea for quashing trials against him in various cases after Portugal's apex court terminated his extradition to India for "violation" of deportation rules by authorities here.

A bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam had reserved the verdict on July 9 saying it would pass order after considering CBI's submission that the agency is ready to drop certain charges against 45-year-old Salem under TADA and Explosive Substances Act in view of its commitment to Portuguese government at the time of his extradition that he shall not be awarded death penalty or detained in custody for more than 25 years if found guilty.

Attorney General G E Vahanwati had said government was committed to its assurance given to the Portuguese court and sought the apex court's permission to drop the additional charges framed against Salem by the trial court.

The agency sought withdrawal of charges under section 5 and 6 of TADA and sections 4(b) and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act.

The Supreme Court had stayed the trial after Salem approached the apex court against the TADA court's order of January 31, rejecting his plea for closure of his trial.

He had filed the application after the Portugal Supreme Court upheld the order of a lower court there, terminating his extradition for "violation" of deportation rules by Indian authorities.