New Delhi, Sep 27: The Portugal High Court has ordered the revocation of the extradition of underworld don Abu Salem, accusing Indian probe agencies of violating the conditions under which he was permitted to be taken to India in November 2005 to face trial in eight cases including the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
At the time of Salem's extradition six years ago, the Indian government had given an assurance to Portugal that he would not be given the death penalty or charged with any section of law which entails jail for more than 25 years.
“An order was passed quashing the extradition of Salem to India on the grounds that the Indian government had violated the extradition conditions,” the 1993 Mumbai blast accused's counsel Arvind Kumar Shukla told PTI here.
Salem's counsel had approached the Portuguese High Court after the Supreme Court dismissed his plea last year, and upheld the designated TADA court's decision to frame additional charges against Salem for the 1993 Mumbai blasts, in addition to the other grave charges for which he was extradited by the Portugal government to face trial in India.
Salem's counsel in Mumbai, Sudeep Passbola, also said the “Portugal High Court terminated the extradition”, and that he was awaiting orders.
If India fails to convince the Portuguese judiciary, Salem may have to be sent back to a jail in Lisbon.
Sources in the government said New Delhi will be approaching the Portuguese Supreme Court, challenging the order.
