JOIN USUnderworld operative Abu Salem, who was once a close aide of Pakistan-based mafia don Dawood Ibrahim, was on Monday convicted of murdering Pradeep Jain, a Mumbai-based builder.
This is the first conviction for Salem (46), who was extradited to India from Portugal in 2005. It attracts a maximum punishment of jail for life for Salem, as he cannot be given death penalty as per the provisions of the extradition treaty between India and Portugal.
A special court set up under Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, convicted Salem along with two others—Virendra Jhamb and Mehndi Hassan—for the murder of Jain, who was shot dead outside his Juhu residence on March 7, 1995.
Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam said Salem was convicted under Sections 302 (murder) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and sections of TADA.
Nameem Khan, an accused in the case, had turned approver. Riyaz Siddiqui, another accused in the case, had turned approver, then retracted and is being tried separately. Salem and other accused denied their role in the case.