Notorious gangster Abu Salem has filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, challenging his transfer from Taloja Central Prison to Nashik Central Prison, citing serious threats to his life. The petition comes after the Mumbai Sessions Court rejected his earlier plea against the prison shift.
Abu Salem, known for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts and the murder of builder Pradeep Jain, was sentenced to life imprisonment. His lawyer, Taraq Sayyed, filed the appeal against the sessions court’s decision, which had, however, ordered the prison authorities to pause the transfer until July 3.
The High Court bench comprising Justices Ajay Gadkari and Neela Gokhale is set to hear the case on the same day. In his plea, Salem argues that the transfer is “uncalled for and tainted with malafide intentions.” He claims to have faced two attacks previously in Taloja and fears a similar risk if moved to another facility.
Salem also highlighted ongoing legal proceedings in Delhi, where he is regularly required to attend trials. He contends that relocating him could hinder his travel to Delhi, potentially delaying these trials. The prison authorities, on their part, have stated the transfer is necessitated by urgent repairs needed in the high-security wing of Taloja, where Salem is currently held.
In a detailed objection, Salem suggested that alternative arrangements could be made within the spacious Taloja Central Prison itself rather than transferring him to another location. He further pointed out that other jails in Maharashtra, such as those in Nashik and Kolhapur, have recently witnessed murders despite high security, underscoring his safety concerns.
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The plea also touches on Salem’s international legal issues, including ongoing cases in Portugal, emphasizing that his long-term residence in Taloja is well-known abroad, which aids his legal representation and case management.
