Bombay High Court: Salem can get 4 days’ parole, must pay for police escort

Mumbai: Bombay High Court on Wednesday said gangster Abu Salem can be given four days of parole leave excluding travel time, but he would have to pay for police escort charges. Justices Ajey Gadkari and Shyam Chandak were hearing Salem's petition for 14 days of parole to travel from Nashik prison to Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh to attend post-death rituals of his elder brother. Salem is serving 25 years imprisonment for the 1993 Mumbai blasts.On Nov 20, the deputy Inspector General (prisons) rejected his application citing an adverse report from Azamgarh's Saraimir police station. On Dec 5, the IG approved two days emergency parole with police escort. On Jan 20, the IG informed that Salem would have to pay escort charges for four days including two days of travel, adding Salem would get "clear two days of parole." Special public prosecutor Amit Munde said the CBI supports the State's contentions on the matter of parole. He referred to Saraimir police station's report on possibility of breach of peace in the communally sensitive area if Salem is released on parole. The judges questioned Munde whether for two days "such a situation will not arise'' and for 14 days "it will arise." Munde replied that Salem has asked for 14 days parole without escort. Advocate Farhana Shah said Salem is not in a position to pay escort charges. Shah said, "Other people have been given 14 days parole," to which the judges said the local police expressed apprehension. "It is my (Salem) native place. What problems will there be?" Shah asked. The judges said Salem can get four days of parole with travel time excluded as per a Criminal Procedure Code provision. "Instead of two days, go for four days. You will have to pay escort charges,'' said Justice Gadkari. Shah said the time was insufficient to perform rituals and prayers and sought more time and said she will inform on Feb 2.