India re-assures Portugal on Abu Salem case

India today assured Portugal that it would remain compliant with the expectations of Portuguese system and judiciary on the issue of gangster Abu Salem.
The assurance comes amidst Portugal raising objection to the charges invoked by the police against Salem, who was extradited in 2005 for his alleged role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, that entail death penalty.
"I think the judiciary in Portugal has raised some issue. The judiciary here in our country, will take care of them," External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said in a joint press conference with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo de Sacadura Cabral Portas.

"We already have petitions in the Supreme Court. We would like, obviously, to remain compliant with the entire Portugese system including judiciary. I have reassured the Minister," he added after his meeting with Portas during which they discussed numerous issues inlcuding anti-terror and economic cooperation.
While getting Salem extradited, India had given an executive assurance to Portugal that it would not slap any charge which would have death penalty and would not keep him behind bars for more than 25 years, key requirements in extradition proceedings in Europe.
Later, Delhi and Mumbai Police slapped charges which entail death penalty against Salem, an accused in several criminal cases, leaving the government and the CBI red-faced.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), after seeking legal opinion, had recently filed an application before the Supreme Court for withdrawal of additional charges slapped under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime against Salem.
The Portugal Supreme Court had last year upheld a lower court order cancelling the extradition of Salem for violation of deportation rules by Indian authorities on the grounds that new charges were slapped against him which attracted death penalty.
The Portuguese Foreign Minister said the answers given by India on its questions about Salem are "reasonable".