SC stays trial of 2 Salem cases; notices to CBI, MEA

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed trial of two TADA cases against alleged underworld don Abu Salem.

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed trial of two TADA cases against alleged underworld don Abu Salem.

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Observing that the Portugal Court of Justice's order terminating Salem's extradition must be respected, a bench headed by Justice P Sathasivam issued notices to the CBI and Ministry of External Affairs on the don's petition seeking closure of cases pending against him. Salem has drawn support from the Portugal Supreme Court order in his petition.

The bench, however, refused to issue an ex-parte stay in the remaining five cases against him. The two cases that will not be heard are pending before the Mumbai TADA special court. One of them is related to 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

"We have to respect the order of court of appeal and the Supreme Court of Justice of Portugal. The matter, however, requires consideration by us," the bench told Salem's counsel while also issuing notice to Attorney General GE Vahanvati for his assistance.

Salem moved the SC against TADA court's order rejecting his plea to close the trial. He had filed the application after the Portugal top court upheld the order of a lower court there, terminating his extradition for "violation" of deportation rules by the Indian authorities