TADA court rejects Gujarat police plea for Salem's custody

MUMBAI: A designated TADA court on Wednesday rejected a plea of the Porbandar police, seeking custody of extradited gangster Abu Salem in a 1993 criminal case filed against him in the Gujarat town.

Special Judge P D here Kode rejected the custody plea on the grounds that Salem was being tried in a number of cases in Mumbai and therefore it was not possible for the court to entertain the request at the moment.

The court, however, asked the Porbandar police to stay in touch with the Registrar of the court and furnish a fresh production warrant for Salem as and when the court official asks them.

The Porbandar police said Salem was wanted in a criminal case filed at Kamalabaug police station.

The underworld don is facing charges in the 1993 serial bomb blasts case, and the special court has directed that he be tried separately since the trial for rest of the accused was over.