A controversy has broken out over Maharashtra State Minority Commission chairman Pyare Khan’s visit to Nashik Central Prison, where Abu Salem is serving life sentences, with the Vishva Hindu Parishad demanding his removal and Khan denying claims that he supported the gangster’s release.
Khan said the visit was official and part of the commission’s routine prison visits across districts to hear grievances of inmates from minority communities. He also said he would resign “in 30 seconds” if the authority that appointed him as MSMC chairman asked him to do so.
Salem is lodged in Nashik Central Prison and is serving life sentences for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts and a 1995 murder case. In a setback to Salem, the Supreme Court on September 10 dismissed his plea for release from custody on the ground that he had completed 25 years in jail in India, as mandated under the terms of his extradition from Portugal.
Nagpur Maha Mantri of the VHP, Amol Thakre, alleged on Tuesday that Khan met Salem in Nashik prison last week and later said that the gangster should be released. A VHP delegation met the Nagpur district collector a day earlier and demanded Khan’s removal from the post as well as an investigation by the NIA and CBI.
Speaking to PTI Videos on Wednesday, Khan said, “It was an official visit. Members of the commission don’t know in advance about the identity of prisoners and who is lodged where. The commission meets prisoners suggested by the jailer.” He said the visit took place inside Nashik prison and that the commission met prisoners belonging to all minority communities.
Khan said, “We have asked the DCP of Azad Maidan police station in Mumbai to investigate who gave wrong statements on this issue.” Asked whether Salem had sought his release during the visit, Khan said Salem told one of the commission’s members that he had completed 25 years and therefore should be released. “However, we told him that his case is under consideration by the Supreme Court and the High Court, and the commission cannot help him,” Khan added.
On the VHP’s demand for an NIA and CBI inquiry, Khan said, “Let the investigation happen and action should be taken against whoever is guilty, be it VHP or Pyare Khan.” He also told a television channel that he had sent defamation notices to some news channels for running incorrect reports.
The row has centred on Khan’s prison visit and the allegation that he backed Salem’s release, which he has denied, while reiterating that he is ready to step down if directed by the appointing authority.
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Published By:
India Today Web Desk
Published On:
Sep 16, 2026 19:13 IST
