Delhi court rejects Abu Salem's plea on dropping MCOCA charges

New Delhi, Aug 28 (ANI): A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the plea of city police to drop charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) against underworld don Abu Salem in an extortion case lodged here in 2002.

Delhi Police had filed an application under the provisions of Criminal Procedure Code for withdrawal of the MCOCA charges against Salem on the ground that it was against the condition for his extradition agreed to between India and Portugal.

The Centre had asked Delhi police to move the court in this regard after Salem had approached the High Court at Portugal alleging that Indian authorities were acting in contravention of the extradition terms.

Salem who was arrested in India after his extradition from Portugal in November 2005, was booked under the MCOCA for allegedly making extortion calls to a Delhi-based businessman Ashok Gupta in 2002, demanding Rs five crore as protection money.

He is convicted for the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case and killing of music baron Gulshan Kumar 1997.

In March 2006, a special TADA court filed eight charges against him and his alleged associate Riaz Siddiqui for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. He stands accused of ferrying and distributing weapons.

Salem is currently in high-security Arthur Jail in Mumbai. (ANI)