The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has rejected the request of Abu Salem’s gang seeking to know the approximate date of his release after completing his jail term. Salem was sentenced to two life terms for his involvement in the 1993 bomb blasts and the killing of architect Pradeep Jain.
However, Salem went to the Supreme Courtreminding the Center that he was extradited from Portugal under an agreement that included assurances that he would not face the death penalty and that his sentence would not exceed 25 years.
According to the order of the high court, the 25 years will be counted from October 12, 2005, the day he was arrested by the Indian authorities.
The CBI said Salem should serve a total of 25 years, including the time he spent as an undertrial prisoner. The recognition of the 25-year period will come only one month before the end of the 25 years, the CBI noted. Therefore, the prison authorities are not obliged to give the convict a specific date of release, as stated in the affidavit filed by the agency.
Further, the CBI explained that the exemption is calculated only when examining the original sentence for commutation purposes. The investigation agency said that their explanation is in line with the Supreme Court’s decision, and any necessary explanations should be sought from the high court.
Currently, Salem is incarcerated in Nashik Central Prison, where he says he has served more than 23 years. However, the CBI argues that he has completed only 19 years in custody, which means he still has time to serve before he is released.
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