JOIN USPortugal on Monday asked India to honour its commitment to the European nation’s judiciary to get gangster Abu Salem extradited in 2005.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo de Sacadura Cabral Portas conveyed to his Indian counterpart, Salman Khurshid, the concerns of his country’s judiciary over the new charges slapped on Salem, since those could entail death penalty. Khurshid, however, sought to reassure him, stating that the CBI had already moved a petition in the Supreme Court for withdrawal of additional charges slapped on Salem under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
“I think the judiciary in Portugal has raised some issue. The judiciary here in our country will take care of them,” Khurshid told mediapersons after a meeting with his counterpart from Portugal.
Portas, who is currently on a tour to New Delhi, said he got reasonable answers on his questions on Salem.
When Salem was extradited from Portugal to India, New Delhi had given an executive assurance to Portugal that the law-enforcing agencies of the country would not slap any charges on him that could send him to the gallows.
Portugal, like other countries in Europe, has a strong stand against death penalty and abolished capital punishment in 1867.
But the Delhi and Mumbai Police later slapped on Salem charges that could entail death penalty, triggering strong reactions in Portugal. The Portugal Supreme Court in 2012 upheld an order of a lower court annulling the extradition of Salem for violation of deportation rules by the Indian government.
“We already have petitions in the Supreme Court. We would like, obviously, to remain compliant with the entire Portuguese system including judiciary. I have reassured the minister,” said Khurshid.
Khurshid conveyed to Portas “deep appreciation of the Government of India for the positive support extended by Portugal on the extradition of Salem, who was wanted in connection with criminal cases, including the ones related to the 1993 Mumbai blasts.