Supreme Court, ‘centre bound to honour’ its commitment given to Portugal and release gangster Abu Salem’s period served in Portugal can not be considered. Therefore, he has to serve 25 years of imprisonment in India.
Bombay blasts in 1993 case convict Abu Salem has to be released after 25 years of sentence as per the extradition treaty with Portugal. Supreme Court to pronounce judgment in the plea filed by Abu Salem, asserting that his sentence of imprisonment cannot exceed 25 years as per the sovereign undertaking given to the Portuguese Republic by the Indian Government.
“On the appellant completing 25 years of sentence, the Central Government is bound to advise the President of India for exercise of powers under Article 72 of the Constitution of India and to release the appellant in terms of the national commitment as well as the principle based on the comity of courts” the court’s ordered.
