India, Jan. 21 -- The Maharashtra government has opposed a plea filed by gangster Abu Salem, a convict in the March 1993 Mumbai serial bombings case, seeking 14 days of emergency parole to attend a prayer ceremony 40 days after his brother's death on November 14, 2025.

The government told the Bombay High Court that Salem will abscond if released on parole. Moreover, the government said, based on a report from the Uttar Pradesh police, the 64-year-old gangster's native place, Saraymir, is a communally sensitive area, and releasing him "could potentially disturb the peace and tranquillity of the region".

On March 12, 1993, a dozen powerful bombs went off in the city, in quick succession, killing 257 people and injuring around 1,400 others...