Gangster Abu Salem gets seven years in extortion case
New Delhi, June 7: A court here on Thursday sentenced extradited gangster Abu Salem to seven years rigorous imprisonment in a 2002 extortion case.
"...the convict is a hardcore criminal (who) indulged in the activities of extending threats and extortion under the fear of death, and he has been previously involved in several cases of similar nature, therefore, he deserves severe punishment of such magnitude that the same should be a lesson for the convict and an alarming lesson for others," Additional Sessions Judge Tarun Sahrawat said.
The court also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on him.
On May 26, Abu Salem was convicted under Section 387 (putting person in fear of death or of grievous hurt in order to commit extortion) and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, but acquitted under charges of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.
The court has acquitted co-accused Pawan Kumar Mittal alias Raja Bhai, Mohd Ashraf alias Bablu, Majid Khan alias Raju Bhai and Chanchal Mehta in the case.
According to the prosecution, the gangster demanded money from a Delhi-based businessman and threatened to eliminate his family members if the amount was not paid.
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Fire breaks out at Nature Bazaar in south Delhi, around 50 shops gutted
New Delhi (PTI): A major fire broke out at Nature Bazaar in south Delhi's Andheria Mor area on Sunday morning, gutting around 50 shops and triggering a massive firefighting operation, an official of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said.
According to the DFS, a call regarding the blaze was received at 7.37 am, following which 10 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to control the flames. No injury to anyone has been reported so far.
The fire erupted at the Nature Bazaar market located near Andheria Mor in the Lado Sarai area, where several temporary and semi-permanent shops selling handicrafts and other items are set up, he said.
Thick plumes of smoke were seen billowing from the market complex as the fire rapidly spread through multiple shops in the crowded marketplace.
Firefighters launched an extensive operation to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.
Around 50 shops were gutted in the incident, causing heavy damage to goods and structures, the officer said.
Fire personnel were continuing efforts to completely douse the flames and carry out cooling operations in the area. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.
Police officers also reached the spot to assist in crowd management and facilitate firefighting operations.
