Charges of extortion framed against Abu Salem

A Delhi court on Tuesday framed charges of extortion and criminal conspiracy against underworld don Abu Salem in connection with the Rajat Nagrath extortion case.

New Delhi, July 7 : A Delhi court on Tuesday framed charges of extortion and criminal conspiracy against underworld don Abu Salem in connection with the Rajat Nagrath extortion case.

Salem, who was brought from Bhopal, was produced before Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kaveri Baweja.

The court ordered the trial of Salem under Sections 387 (extortion), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

Salem's counsel, Arvind Shukla, claimed that there were not enough evidences to frame charges against him. He moved a bail application, which will be considered on July 14.

However, the prosecution said there was a "positive" forensic report of the intercepted calls of Salem, which is sufficient ground for his trial.

The trial against Salem will begin with the recording of witnesses statements from July 21.

In 2003, thee other accused-C P Rai, Istiyaq Ahmed and Sadiq Aliin- have already been charged in the case.

All the accused, including Salem, have been booked for making threat calls to Rajat Nagrath, owner of Delhi-based Allied Communication demanding Rs. one crore in 2002.

Salem was arrested in India after his extradition from Portugal in November 2005 for his alleged role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts and several other cases.

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