Extortion charges against Abu Salem

A city court has framed charges of extortion and criminal conspiracy against underworld don Abu Salem, paving way for his trial in a 7-year-old case.

A city court has framed charges of extortion and criminal conspiracy against underworld don Abu Salem, paving way for his trial in a 7-year-old case.

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Salem, who was brought to the capital from Bhopal amid tight security arrangements, was produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja.

The prosecution argued that there was "positive" forensic report of the intercepted calls of Salem, which is a sufficient ground for his trial.

After hearing the arguments, the court ordered his trial under various sections. The trial against Salem is to begin from July 21 with recording of statements of witnesses in the case.

Three other accused — CP Rai, Istiyaq Ahmed and Sadiq Aliin — have already been charged in the case in 2003.

All the accused, including Salem, have been booked for making threat calls to Rajat Nagrath, owner of Delhi-based Allied Communication, demanding Rs 1 crore in 2002. Salem’s counsel moved a bail application listed for hearing by the court on July 14.