Ghaziabad: The CBI on February 11 expressed hope that a decision to extradite underworld fugitive Abu Salem would soon be taken by the Portuguese authorities as their probe against him was nearing completion.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a three-day seminar on "Effective Prosecution of Corruption", CBI's Special Director U S Mishra said that the probe in Portugal was time-bound and the entire process has to be completed within six months from the day of his arrest.

"We have sent the extradition warrant and they are working out on our request and we are expecting a result soon," Mishra said.

Salem, along with little known bollywood actress Monica Bedi, were arrested in Portugal on September 18 2002. After completion of the earlier three-month judicial remand, the authorities in Lisbon had extended the remand by another six months which was due to expire next month.

According to the Portuguese law, a decision about an arrested person has to be completed within six months.

The extension of judicial remand came close on the heels of CBI sending an official with a formal extradition request where the agency has listed his involvement in three CBI cases, four cases with Delhi Police and two cases registered against him by Mumbai police.

The extradition request also gave an executive assurance to Portuguese authorities of not awarding Salem capital punishment in case of his conviction by Indian courts, highlighted his role in the conspiracy leading to the Mumbai bomb blast.

PTI