Salem denies writing love letters to former counsel

Mumbai, Mar 4: Gangster Abu Salem has denied having written love letters to his former advocate Almas Ansari who had last month attempted suicide over the media reports about such an affair. Salem has alleged that Ansari's former senior Ashok Sarogi had spread such rumours through the media to tarnish her image.

The Ghatkopar police, who have registered an offence against Ansari over the suicide bid, had recorded Salem's statement in the Arthur Road jail, sources said. Salem has told the police that he is unaware of the existence of such letters and he had never written any of them himself. Meanwhile, Sarogi was called at the police station and also questioned. He, too, has denied presenting such letters to the media.

Sarogi has alleged that Ansari has made baseless and false allegations against Salem as an act of revenge since he had terminated her services. Police, sources said, had also called up the reporter of the English tabloid which had first carried the story about the alleged love affair and published some of the ''love letters written by Salem to Ansari''. The reporter has been unable to give satisfactory replies to the police queries, sources said.

Meanwhile, the State intelligence wing has in a report to the police said there is a threat to Salem's life from rival gangs and, hence, he should not be taken out from the jail premises. Taking cognizance of the report, it has been decided that Salem will face trials through video conferencing.

UNI