'Special security' for Salem on his Delhi arrival on Feb 7

New Delhi, Feb 5 (UNI) Special security arrangements have been put in place for underworld don Abu Salem's 15-day stay in the Capital beginning February 7.

The don, who will be interrogated by the Special Cell sleuths in connection with two cases of extortion (the third case against him is with the Crime Branch), will be arriving here on February 7 and produced in the court the following day, said a senior police official.

''He has to be produced at a Mumbai court on February 23 and until then he would be interrogated on the two extortion cases, involving two Greater Kailash businessmen, by the Special Cell sleuths.'' It will be a jail-to-jail transfer from Mumbai to Tihar here, after his arrival here on February 7. Later he would be produced before a court and taken on police remand for interrogation, said the official.

''Special security apparatus has been put in place for his 'safety' during his transfer from Tihar Jail to the court and from there to the interrogation 'venue'.'' Refusing to elaborate on the 'special measures', the officer said this was imperative in the light of his background and threats to him from rival gangs.

''Everything necessary for his 'protection' was in place.'' Of the total three cases against Salem in Delhi, one case of extortion and criminal intimidation involved a one crore rupee ransom from a GK businessman.

The Special Cell of the Delhi Police had sought Salem's custody in the case in which his associates allegedly demanded Rs one crore from the owner of South Delhi-based Allied Communication in 2002 and threatened him with dire consequences if the amount was not paid.

The owner of the firm was asked to get in touch with Salem on satellite phone (no 00871761888132).

On July 20, 2002 the victim again got a call from one Bhai Thakur asking him why he had not called Salem. He was again threatened with dire consequences and told to contact the don on his cell phone (nos 00971507741932 and 00971505307204).

The extortion amount was also increased to Rs two crore.

On September 26, 2002 Sadik Ali and Chandra Praksh Rai were arrested near the private firm's office as the two had allegedly come to kill the owner.

Later, two others -- Ishtiaq and Papu Yadav -- were also arrested from Uttar Pradesh in connection with the case.

The second case for which Salem is wanted by the Special Cell involves a Rs five crore ransom from a GK businessman.

The third case, involving politician-fixer Romesh Sharma, was with the Crime Branch.

UNI