India formally sought deportation of underworld don...

India formally sought deportation of underworld don Abu Salem, who was arrested along with his wife Monica Bedi in Lisbon with Pakistani passport, and said it was prepared to guarantee that he would not be given death penalty. Indian Federal Home Minister L K Advani told reporters in Bhubaneshwar that a note had been sent to the Portuguese government seeking deportation of Salem. Advani also said that the Indian government would give a written statement to Portugal, that Salem, if deported, would not be given death penalty. "In this case, it is possible and Indian law permits that the necessary assurance may be given to the concerned government," he said. According to a convention to which EU countries are signatories, an accused cannot be deported to a country where he might be executed.