UAE has denied arresting Abu Salem: CBI

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 29. Seeking to clear the confusion over reports of the arrest of underworld don, Abu Salem, by the United Arab Emirates authorities, the Central Bureau of Investigation today said the UAE had denied either detaining or arresting the gangster.

The CBI said that a proposal with Arabic translation for the extradition of Abu Salem Abdul Qayoom Ansari to India to face trial had been submitted to the UAE authorities as early as November 1997 through the Indian Embassy in the UAE.

``His fingerprints were also submitted alongside. All formalities required for his extradition to India have been met since 1997. The extradition proposal contains evidence against him in all the cases and it is proposed to put him up for trial,'' the CBI said.

Abu Salem, a native of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh is wanted in Mumbai serial blasts case and other heinous crimes. He is alleged to have helped Anees Shaikh, another accused, in procuring nine AK-56 assault rifles. The Interpol had issued a Red Corner notice for his arrest in 1995.

On receiving information on October 22 about his possible detention in UAE, the CBI contacted the UAE authorities for confirmed information. ``The concerned UAE authorities denied having either detained or arrested him, a position which they have maintained till date,'' the CBI said.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : BJP has not kept any promise: Sonia
Next     : T.N. plea to be listed before another Bench