New Delhi: The Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court, has allowed prosecution to drop less serious charges against Underworld don Abu Salem in connection with the murder of city-based real estate developer Pradeep Jain in 1995.
Special Public Prosecutor, Pradeep Jain has confirmed that an application was sought to drop less serious charges under IPC against the accused and the TADA court has agreed to upheld the application.
Earlier, Salem had sought an application in court seeking the charges be dropped of criminal conspiracy against him due to the order of the constitutional court of Portugal which had terminated his extradition.
“We told the court that charges were withdrawn to maintain cordial relations between India and Portugal, but we contended that charges of criminal conspiracy would not be dropped,” Nikam said.
Abu Salem, an accused in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, was extradited from Portugal on November 11, 2005, after a prolonged legal battle.
In 1995,Pradeep Jain the Andheri builder was gunned down after he refused to pay Rs 1 crore to Salem. He had offered Salem Rs 20 lakh,but the hitman wanted a cut in profits from a housing project.
The court is presently trying Abu Salem, real estate developer Virendra Jhamb, Mehndi Hassan and Riyaz Siddiqui for their alleged roles in the Jain murder case.
