CBI asked to file a reply in Salem case

Mumbai, Mar 9 (UNI) The TADA Court, trying the 1993 serial Mumbai bomb cases, today directed the CBI to file its reply by March 14 on an application moved by extradited gangster Abu Salem, who has retracted his confessional statement recorded by investigating agency.

TADA Judge P D Kode direction to the CBI came after Salem retracted his statement, alleging that it was recorded under duress and against his wishes.

Salem in his confessional statement before the CBI officials had admitted delivering weapons to film star and blast accused Sanjay Dutt at his Bandra residence prior to the serial blasts, which rocked the metropolis on March 12. 1993.

The don had also confessed about his active participation in the blast, which included his involvement in distributing the arms and ammunition to the co-accused and also attending the conspiratory meeting.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the court asked the Arthur Road Jail Superintendent to file a reply tomorrow in response to the gangster's plea seeking direction to the jail officials to shift him from the high security cell in Arthur Road jail where the serial blast accused are languishing.

The court was earlier told that he was feeling lonely and undergoing mental trauma having been lodged in the high security cell.

The court was also told that once he fell unconscious for two hours and has also suffered epileptic attack twice.

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