HC defers Salem's petition against separate trial till Aug 8

Mumbai, Aug 2 (UNI) Bombay High Court today deferred till August eight, the hearing on the petition filed by extradited gangster and 1993 serial bomb blasts case accused Abu Salem, challenging the separation of his trial and additional charges framed by the designated TADA court here.

The petition, moved by Salem's lawyer Ashok Sarogi, came up for hearing before a division bench comprising Justices D G Deshpande and S A Bobde, but the prosecution sought further time to file its reply.

In his petition, Salem has challenged the separation of his trial from the other 135 accused in the case, on the ground that it may lead to prejudicing the minds of the court. It has also been mentioned that the separation is in violation of the extradition agreement made between India and Portugal when Salem was deported.

According to the petitioner, he was brought to India to face the ongoing trial and not a separate trial.

Besides, Salem has also pointed out certain other alleged violations of the extradition proceedings and has prayed to the court to set aside the order passed by the TADA court.

Earlier, TADA Judge P D Kode, trying the March 12, 1993 serial bomb blasts case of Mumbai, had separated the trial of the don and his accomplice Riyaz Siddique on a plea moved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The CBI had claimed the joint trial of Salem and his accomplice would only delay the order process of the 135 accused, including cine star Sanjay, as their trial proceedings had already concluded and are due for judgement on August 10.

UNI XR/PVN GK PA DS1405