Abu Salem

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Abu Salem (born 1968) is an underworld don originally from Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh, India. He is convicted for the 1993 Bombay serial blasts case and killing of India's music baron Gulshan Kumar 1997.

He has unsuccessfully attempted to kill Bollywood film directors Rajiv Rai and Rakesh Roshan.[1] At one time was a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim and later fell off when he seemed too-big-for-his-boots. Before becoming a professional criminal, he worked as a driver and a hawker. He is also wanted in India for murder and extortion cases.

On September 20, 2002, he and his companion Monica Bedi were arrested by Interpol in Lisbon, Portugal. His satellite phone was tracked using GPS technology. He has been accused in the 1993 bomb blasts as well as killing of Bollywood producer Gulshan Kumar, Indian actress Manisha Koirala's secretary, a builder and more than 50 other cases.

In February 2004, a Portugal court cleared his extradition to India to face trial in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case. In November 2005, Portuguese authorities handed him over along with Monica Bedi to Indian authorities on the assurance that death penalty would not be meted on him or his partner Monica Bedi.

Abu Salem was born in a lower middle class family. Abu's father was an advocate by profession. Abu could not complete his education after his father died in a road accident. Initially Abu started a small mechanic shop in his home town to support his family. But soon after he moved to Delhi, the capital city of India. In Delhi he worked as a taxi driver. After some time Abu shifted base to Bombay, the financial capital of India. In Bombay he worked again as a driver. It was in Bombay that he met Dawood, the underworld don, and joined his mafia. Abu Salem split from the Dawood gang in 1998.[1]

In March 2006, a special TADA court filed eight charges against him and his alleged associate Riaz Siddiqui for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. He stands accused of ferrying and distributing weapons.

Abu Salem is currently in high-security Arthur Jail in Mumbai.

[edit] Fake passport case

In November 2007, Abu Salem appeared before the Bhopal District Court in connection with a fake passport case.

[edit] References

  1. ^ BBC NEWS | South Asia | Profile: India's dreaded gangster

[edit] External links