Underworld don Abu Salem's lawyer Ashok Sarawgi claimed Thursday night that Portugal has issued a notice to India about alleged violations of provisions of the extradition treaty under which the gangster was sent to India to stand trial.
"His (Salem's) brother and other relatives in India came to my office and told me that the Portgual government issued a notification to Indian government about violation of the extradition treaty," the lawyer told India TV from Mumbai.
Asked which provisions of the treaty were being allegedly flouted, Sarawgi said they relate to use of coercion and cruelty against Salem.
"Basically, I am told that objections have been raised in the so-called confession statement of Salem even though he did not want to make one," the lawyer said.
Asked who had taken the initiative to raise the issue of alleged violations of the extradition treaty, Sarawgi said, "I understand the human rights commission and some local (Portugese) barristers."
To a question about what could Salem's lawyers would do under the circumstances, he said, "If they (Central Bureau of Investigation) don't mend their ways, we may move the court there (in Portugal) seeking that he be called back."