Daily News & Analysis
 
 
MUMBAI, Jan 29: This one appears to be straight out of the mythologicals. Gangster Abu Salem, one of the prime accused in the 1993 serial bomb blasts, has decided to have a change of heart. Or so he wants people to believe.

In a development that has baffled the Mumbai police and defence lawyers alike, the gangster has suddenly proclaimed his new-found respect of Saint Valmiki, who mythology says, became a samaritan from a notorious thief.

Salem’s advocate Ashok Sarogi said, “During our meeting with Salem in crime branch lock up, he expressed his respects towards saint Valmiki and requested us to get a copy of the Ramayana.”

Heeding to his request, Sarogi on Saturday afternoon, handed over a copy of  Ramayana to Salem “so that he could know more about the saint.

Salem is currently in the Mumbai police custody in connection with the murder of  actress Manisha Koirala’s secretary Ajit Dewani.

Sarogi said, “For the last three to four days, Salem has been chanting  ‘Om’ in the mornings and evenings for a couple of hours and is finding mental satisfaction in the exercise.”

However, the Mumbai crime branch officials believe that Salem’s so called change of mind is his new stunt to garner sympathy.

An investigating officer on condition of anonymity said, “This is for the third time that Salem is being interrogated by a third investigating agency at three different places.  But it is only in the crime branch custody that he has got this realisation.”

Earlier, Salem’s wife and former actor Monica Bedi, — currently in Hyderabad police custody in connection with a fake passport — expressed her willing to become ‘nun’ and serve the humanity.