The government is determined to secure the extradition of underworld don Abu Salem to India from Portugal. The formalities in this regard are in process, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani said on Wednesday.
He was replying to supplementaries during question-hour session in the Rajya Sabha.
The Government of Portugal was fully cooperating with New Delhi in this regard and had sent Salem to 90 days remand, he added.
The Portuguese government has a policy of not allowing extradition of any person to a country, which has a capital punishment. This is the only difficulty, he said.
While stating that India did not have an extradition treaty with Portugal, Advani said, "We are hopeful that Abu Salem will be extradited to India."
Soon after the government received information of the detention of Salem on September 19, a Central Bureau of Investigation team was sent to Portugal. The team along with the Indian embassy officials in Portugal discussed the issue of extradition of Salem, Advani said.