New Delhi: In a determined bid to secure the extradition of Abu Salem accused in the Bombay blasts, India has given a sovereign assurance to Portugal that he would not be given death penalty or imprisonment beyond 25 years if convicted.

The Union Cabinet on January 9 gave post facto approval to the decision, which was approved by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on December 12 and the request handed over to Portuguese authorities on December 27, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters.

Salem, his companion Monica Bedi and Syed Haider were arrested in Lisbon by Portuguese police on September 18 for staying in the country on the basis of forged documents and sent to judicial custody for three months, which has since been extended for another three months.

The underworld don is facing charges under section 120B and 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 3, 5 and 6 of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) under which he can be awarded life imprisonment and death sentence.

Even as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) pressed hard for his deportation, the Portuguese government made it clear that under their laws he could be sent to India only through an extradition request.

It was further stipulated that the Portuguese judiciary would not give its nod for extradition unless it is accompanied by a sovereign assurance, which is a mandatory requirement that the accused will not be given death penalty or imprisonment beyond 25 years in the event of their conviction.

PTI