(Image source from: Indiatvnews.com)

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday dismissed a request made by gangster Abu Salem for a reduction in his prison sentence and for an early release. Salem is currently serving a life sentence after being found guilty in the 1993 Mumbai bombings case. A panel of judges, Ajey S Gadkari and Kamal R Khata, delivered this decision, turning down Salem’s request for a shorter sentence and a possible release date. Remission is a benefit given to prisoners that can reduce their sentence based on factors like good behavior. Salem went to the High Court after a special TADA court in December 2024 rejected his claim that he had already been in jail for 25 years as stated in India’s extradition deal with Portugal. His lawyer, Advocate Farhana Shah, asked the High Court to set a possible release date for him.

Salem was brought to India from Portugal on November 11, 2005. He was taken into custody on November 24 and has been facing multiple charges since then. Last year, he was transferred from Taloja Central Prison to Nashik Central Prison. In 2017, he was convicted in connection with the 1993 bombings. Previously, in 2015, he received a life sentence for the murder of Mumbai builder Pradeep Jain in 1995. In July 2022, the Supreme Court made it clear that while the Union government must advise the President to grant remission to Salem after he finishes 25 years in prison, this does not mean his sentence can be reduced before that time. In October 2025, Salem informed a special court that he had spent 23 years and eight months in incarceration, including time as an undertrial, and argued that remission earned under prison rules should also be considered. He requested authorities to calculate and announce a possible release date.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, representing the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), opposed Salem’s request, calling it unfounded. Singh claimed that the government’s assurance regarding the 25-year period would only be applicable once Salem reaches that mark on November 10, 2030. An affidavit from the MHA submitted in May 2025 indicated that as of March 31 of that year, Salem had spent 19 years, 5 months, and 21 days in custody. The Ministry accused Salem of trying to combine different time periods of imprisonment from separate convictions to falsely claim he had completed his sentence. In July 2025, the High Court noted that Salem had not yet served 25 years, taking into account that his custody started on October 12, 2005. Salem then took his case to the Supreme Court. On February 16, 2026, the Supreme Court allowed Salem to withdraw his request and gave him the option to ask for an early hearing in the High Court. The case was held for judgment after the final hearing on March 26.