Mumbai: On a plea made by Mumbai police, a sessions court on November 28 issued non-bailable warrant against Abu Salem, the underworld don and absconding accused, in a case of alleged extortion and attempt to murder.

Two courts had early this month (November) issued similar non-bailable warrants against Salem for his alleged involvement in criminal cases.

Efforts have been stepped by Mumbai police to obtain non-bailable warrants against Salem in order to seek his extradition from Lisbon where he is imprisoned after his arrest in a case of illegal stay, legal sources told reporters.

A non-bailable warrant was on November 28 issued by sessions judge V R Patil in a case of alleged extortion and attempt to murder a builder by Abu Salem and his henchmen in 1998. Eight alleged members of his gang have been arrested in this case and are facing trial but Salem is absconding. The victim in this case was Bansibhai Patel.

Special judge Abhay Thipsay had on November 12 issued warrant for Salem's alleged involvement in the murder case of Ajit Dewani, secretary to film stars Manisha Koirala, Aftab Shivdasani and Lisa Ray. Salem's men had gunned down Dewani in 2001 after he failed to meet their extortion demands. Six of them are facing trial.

In another case, sessions judge S J Shah had issued non-bailable warrant against Salem in a case of a double murder.

The warrants would be handed over to the Interpol who would then present them to the Lisbon government with the request by government of India to seek his extradition, the sources said.

PTI