Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 29: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted a four-day parole under police escort to gangster Abu Salem, a convict in the March 1993 Mumbai serial bombings case.
Salem, who is currently lodged in Nashik Central Jail, had moved the high court seeking emergency parole to attend the last rites and related religious ceremonies of his brother, Abu Hakim Ansari, who passed away on November 14, 2025.
According to the plea, Salem sought parole to attend the funeral, 40th-day prayers, Quran Khwani and other ceremonies, besides offering condolences to family members. His earlier application was rejected on November 20 on the ground that the surety proposed by him was not appropriate, after which he approached senior police authorities.
On December 5, the deputy inspector general of prisons directed jail authorities to grant Salem a two-day parole under escort with strict conditions, including that he should not meet anyone and must not consume food from outside.
Challenging the order, Salem, through advocate Farhana Shah, approached the high court, arguing that he was unable to bear the escort charges as he has been incarcerated for over two decades and has no source of income.
During the hearing on January 13, the high court asked the state government to explain why Salem could not be released without escort and also sought details of the escort charges that he would be required to pay.
The state government, citing a report from Uttar Pradesh police, submitted that Salem’s native place Saraymir is a communally sensitive area and his release could disturb peace and tranquillity. It added that the state was willing to grant four-day parole provided Salem paid for the escort party.
On Wednesday, a division bench comprising Justice A S Gadkari and Justice Shyam C Chandak said it was inclined to grant Salem a four-day parole leave, excluding travel time, under police escort and directed that he would have to pay the escort charges.
Advocate Shah opposed the condition, stating Salem was not financially capable of paying the charges and sought time to confirm whether he could arrange the amount.
Taking this into consideration, the high court posted the matter for further hearing on February 2.