Charges framed against Abu Salem for trying to extort Rs 5 crore

Extradited underworld don Abu Salem was today charged under stringent law against organized crime MCOCA by a Delhi court for allegedly making threat calls to a trader to extort Rs five crore as protection money.

"Your (Salem) activities and involvement were analysed and it was observed that you are continuing with your unlawful criminal activities in an organised manner by forming an organised crime syndicate," additional sessions judge Pinki said.

Paving the way for start of trial in the eight-year-old case, the court said there was prima facie strong evidence to prosecute Salem under various provisions of the IPC and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act, dealing with conspiracy, attempt to extort money, threatening and running an organised crime syndicate.

"You were found running an organised crime syndicate for the purpose of gaining pecuniary benefits by indulging in organised crime activities," the court said. 

The court has fixed the matter for recording of prosecution evidence on May 17.

Besides Salem, who had remained elusive till his extradition from Portugal in 2005, other accused in the case are Chanchal Mehta, Majid Khan, Pawan Kumar Mittal, Mohd Ashraf.

Another accused Sajjan Kumar Soni died during pendency of the case and consequently, proceedings against him was stopped.

An FIR against Salem and others were lodged in 2002 at Greater Kailash police station here for threatening Ashok Gupta, a Delhi-based businessman, to extort Rs five crore as protection money from him.