The Bombay High Court rejected gangster Abu Salem’s plea for emergency parole to visit his hometown in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh. Salem declined to cover the estimated Rs 17 lakh cost for security and travel arrangements required for the visit. His lawyer argued that Salem, imprisoned for nearly 25 years, could not afford the expenses.
The court emphasized the necessity of security measures and refused to relax the conditions for Salem’s parole. Despite Salem’s lawyer stating that his client could only afford Rs 1 lakh, the court upheld its decision. The plea for parole was made following the death of Salem’s elder brother in 2025.
The state government opposed the plea, citing security concerns in Salem’s ancestral village. While willing to grant four days of parole on humanitarian grounds, the government insisted that Salem bear the security costs. The court expressed willingness to allow Salem parole with full security cover if he paid the expenses, which he declined, leading to the denial of parole.
