The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), on Tuesday, while concluding its arguments on the quantum of sentence in the 1993 blast case, demanded life imprisonment for Abu Salem and Riyaz Siddique on the grounds that the two were close aides of Dawood Ibrahim and his brothers.
The prosecution while seeking a life sentence for Salem, stated that as it was bound by the extradition treaty it could not seek death penalty for Salem. The defence, however, is about to start its arguments on Wednesday.
While explaining the legal hassle which the prosecution had faced due to the extradition treaty filed between India and Portugal, while extraditing Salem to India, advocate Salvi said, "As he is handed over by Portugal on the basis of solemn sovereign assurance and as section 34 (C)of Indian Extradition Act, which bars the punishment of death penalty for an accused. However, in this case, nothing short of a death penalty would aptly fit the demonic crime committed by Abu Salem. With a heavy heart, the prosecution seeks punishment of life imprisonment for Salem."
Advocate Deepak Salvi added, "Since he is already held to be guilty for the offenses under various sections of TADA prevention act, Pradeep Jain murder case, thus making this the second time for him to be held as a terrorist. Salem was one of the main conspirators, his degree of responsibility towards the commission of the crime was the highest. If not him (and other absconders), the crime would have never taken place."
While speaking about the role of Riyaz Siddique, the prosecution held that he had actively participated in driving Salem's car from Bharuch to Mumbai which was filled with weapons. Thus, the transportation of deadly weapons attracts a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
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