Court issues warrant against gangster Salem in extortion case

A fresh production warrant was on Monday issued by a Delhi court against underworld don Abu Salem after Mumbai police failed to produce him in a case lodged in 2005 for allegedly making call to a Delhi-based businessman demanding Rs five crore as protection money.

A fresh production warrant was on Monday issued by a Delhi court against underworld don Abu Salem after Mumbai police failed to produce him in a case lodged in 2005 for allegedly making call to a Delhi-based businessman demanding Rs five crore as protection money.

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"Issue production warrant against Abu Salem for November 20," Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Pinki, who was to hear arguments on framing of charges in the case, said.

The court had on September 10, October 8 and 26 also issued production warrants against Salem as the police could not bring him before it.

Salem, meanwhile, has approached the Portuguese Supreme Court against the order of the ASJ who had rejected the plea of the Delhi Police seeking dropping of charges under tough MCOCA against him.

The gangster has claimed his impending trial under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act was in violation of the extradition terms agreed to between India and Portugal from where he was extradited in 2005.

The court, however, had said mere omission of MCOCA in the extradition terms did not make any difference as Portugal knew that Salem's extradition was sought because of his involvement in organised crimes as well.

Salem was booked under MCOCA and other provisions of IPC for allegedly making extortion calls to Delhi-based businessman Ashok Gupta, demanding Rs five crore as protection money.