New Delhi: A Delhi court on Thursday issued
production warrant against underworld don Abu Salem after the
police failed to produce him in a case lodged in 2005 for
allegedly making call to a Delhi-based businessman demanding
Rs five crore as protection money.
"Issue production warrant against Abu Salem for
September 24," Additional Sessions Judge Pinki said.
The court, which was to hear arguments on framing of
charges, had to adjourn the proceedings after it was submitted
that Salem could not be brought here from Jaipur where he has
gone to attend some other case.
Earlier, it had dismissed the plea by the police
seeking withdrawal of stringent charges under Maharashtra
Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) against Salem on the
ground that it was against the extradition terms agreed to
between India and Portuguese authorities.
The court said mere omission of MCOCA in the
extradition terms did not make any difference as Portugal knew
that Salem's extradition was sought because of his involvement
in organised crimes as well.
Salem, extradited from Portugal in 2005, was booked
under MCOCA and other provisions of the IPC for allegedly
making extortion calls to Delhi-based businessman Ashok Gupta,
demanding Rs five crore as protection money.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 20:34