Nagpur city is agog with speculation that gangster Abu Salem [Images] may be shifted to the Central Jail in Nagpur in view of security concerns.

The law-enforcing agencies, especially the Central Bureau of Investigation, which nabbed Salem in Portugal and brought him to India, are said to be concerned about the gangster's safety in Mumbai. There are reports that underworld don Dawood Ibrahim [Images] is concerned that Salem may reveal several secrets about the gang, and is, therefore, likely to target him.

• Abu Salem Extradited

This has given rise to apprehension about Salem's safety, and hence the search for a safe place to lodge him. According to sources, the law-enforcing agencies are giving serious consideration to the idea of shifting the accused to a jail in the interior of the country. Nagpur is thought to be quite a safe location.

In fact, Dr Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay, the deputy inspector general of Police (Prisons), has gone on record asserting that Nagpur Central Prison was suitable to lodge even a notorious criminal like Abu Salem. The prison, spread over 35 acres, had all the facilities necessary to ensure the safety and security of an accused in a high-profile case, he has said.

The other option is the Central Prison in Amravati, about 150 km from Nagpur. However, sources feel Amravati will not be the preferred location because of certain logistical problems. At present, Amravati does not have a direct rail link to Mumbai. The nearest railhead for Mumbai-bound passengers is Badnera, about 15 km away and a half-hour travel by road.

Amravati has no air connectivity, either. The nearest airport is Nagpur. It takes about three hours to travel between Nagpur and Amravati by road. It takes about an hour and 15 minutes to travel between Nagpur and Mumbai by air.

Both arrangements work fine in normal circumstances, but Salem is no ordinary criminal and the authorities would not like to take any chances.

Sources pointed out that it was not unusual for the accused in high-profile cases to be lodged at a location away from the place where the trial was taking place. It has become all the more convenient since video-conferencing has been approved for recording statements.

Central India News Service