1993 Mumbai blasts accused Abu Salem lives life king-size inside Taloja Jail

Life seems to be pretty sweet for gangster Abu Salem in Taloja jail in Navi Mumbai, contrary to what the gangster had claimed a few weeks ago, where he alleged that he was being tortured and tormented by the jail superintendent. In a rebuttal, jail superintendent Hiralal Jadhav, in a five-page report, said that the gangster was living life king-size in the Navi Mumbai prison as opposed to what has been reported in the media. [caption id=“attachment_185111” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Abu Salem. Reuters[/caption] In a written statement, Jadhav claimed that the gangster not only has his own manservant, but also throws parties for fellow inmates and, sometimes, even smuggled fried chicken from KFC inside the jail, reports India Today. Jadhav, who is currently under inquiry for allegedly torturing the gangster, said that since he stopped Salem from continuing with his illegitimate demands in prison, the gangster made a series of allegations against him. “Salem made unjustified demands to be escorted to Delhi for his case hearings, despite the fact that the jail is equipped with video conferencing facility. In one year alone, Salem visited JJ Hospital at least 42 times for no reason. Even the doctors did not find anything wrong with him,” wrote Jadhav in his statement, reports the Mid Day. If Jadhav claims are true, it raises questions as to where Salem is getting funds to afford such a lifestyle inside the prison. One’s reputation can only carry one so far. Crime writer S Hussain Zaidi, who wrote a tell-all book on Salem, titled My Name is Abu Salem, shed some light on the whole affair in an interview with Rediff in 2014. When asked asked about the financial situation and lifestyle of Salem, Zaidi said that his money is locked up in properties and only people who are close to him know know where they are, and they know that they have to help him legally and once Salem comes out he can access the money. “Abu Salem is leading a good lifestyle in jail. He is wearing designer clothes, eating biryani, wearing shoes,” added Zaidi. In 2010, state home minister, Ramesh Bagwe, after a visit of to Arthur Road jail where Salem was held, found that his cell had marble flooring and bathroom facilities. The cell had a bed, utensils, tiffins and posters of models, reports NDTV. But as shocking as the entire setup might seem, the situation is not unique. In 2014, in an investigation following a police firing in the divisional jail in Bihar reaveled that a select group of prisoners was allowed to avail facilities such as air-conditioners, coolers and mobiles. Even drugs like marijuana and liquor were provided to the “privileged” ones, reports the Telegraph. In 2007, a surprise raid by the Vigilance Bureau found a convict admitted to a private air-conditioned room of the Jallianwala Bagh hospital, after ‘bribing’ the SMO, reports The Tribune.