Underworld don Abu Salem, who was extradited from Portugal in November this year, feels that his estranged wife Sumaira may have tipped-off the Portugal Police, leading to his arrest in 2001, police sources said.
Salem, who is in the custody of Anti-Terrorist Squad of Mumbai Police in connection with the 1995 Pradeep Jain murder case, reportedly told interrogators that Sumaira Jumani, his estranged wife, could have 'fixed' him in the Portugal police case, sources in the Anti Terrorist Squad told PTI.
Sumaira Jumani, a resident of suburban Santacruz in Mumbai, married Salem against the wishes of her family in early 90s. She is at present staying in the United States, and runs a supermarket and a theatre, which was allegedly bought by Salem through his illegitimate money.
Relations between Sumaira and Salem soured after starlet Monica Bedi stepped into the latter's life.
Salem told interrogators that Sumaira could have 'fixed' him in the police case out of envy or revenge. Salem has also alleged that she pocketed his entire money, knowledgeable ATS sources said.
Meanwhile, Salem continues to be obsessed with Monica who is in Hyderabad jail on judicial custody in the CBI case of obtaining forged passports against her.
"Salem keeps asking about her, although Monica reportedly refused to meet Salem's lawyers who went to convey his message to her," ATS sources said.
Salem and Monica had been staying together for the past few years after they got married, while Sumaira stayed in the US.
So spoiled were the relations between Salem and Sumaira, that the don had not met his son for the last many years, sources said.
Meanwhile, sources said Salem, who never faced hardships or entered into violent activities at Mumbai or abroad, was short-tempered and became notorious for ordering the 'killing' of people who defied him.
"He quickly ordered his men to eliminate people who defied him, and Salem admitted that even his then boss, Dawood Ibrahim and Dawood's brother Anees were opposed to such unnecessary killings," ATS sources said.
Salem also admitted that he had a habit of taking credit for underworld killings taking place in Mumbai, which may not have been necessarily executed by his men.
However, he refused to talk to the ATS on whether the murder of audio king Gulshan Kumar was executed by his men, or he had 'grabbed credit' for it like previous murders.
"The Gulshan Kumar murder case spoiled relationship between Dawood and Salem and he finally parted ways from the 'D' Gang in 1998," ATS sources said.
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