VHP seeks Maharashtra minority panel chief’s removal over meeting with Abu Salem; he denies seeking gangster’s release

A row has erupted over Maharashtra State Minority Commission MSMC Chairman Pyare Khanrsquos visit to Nashik Central Prison where gangster Abu Salem is serving life sentences The Vishva Hindu Parishad VHP has demanded Khanrsquos removal alleging that he later spoke in favour of Salemrsquos releaseKhan has denied the allegationand also said he would resign ldquoin 30 secondsrdquo if the authority that appointed him as MSMC Chairman asked him to step down news agency PTI reportedNagpur Maharashtra On his official visit to Nashik Road Central Jail State Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Ziya Khan says The commission conducts an official visit Along with a jail visit officials like the Collector Commissioner NMMC Commissioner and representativeshellip pictwittercomHzA5Ipgmvamdash IANS ians_india September 16 2026Salem is lodged at Nashik Central Prison where he is serving life sentences for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai blasts and a 1995 murder caseIn a setback for Salem the Supreme Court on September 10 dismissed his plea seeking release from custody on the ground that he had completed 25 years in jail in India as stipulated under the terms of his extradition from PortugalVHP Nagpur Maha Mantri Amol Thakre on Tuesday alleged that Khan met Salem at Nashik Central Prison last week and later said that the gangster should be releasedA VHP delegation met the Nagpur district collector a day earlier demanding Khanrsquos removal from the post and an investigation by the National Investigation Agency NIA and Central Bureau of Investigation CBIKhan denies seeking Salemrsquos release during Nashik prison visitSpeaking to PTI Videos on Wednesday Khan said the commission visits jails across all districts to hear the grievances of inmates belonging to minority communitiesldquoIt was an official visit Members of the commission dont know in advance about the identity of prisoners and who is lodged where The commission meets prisoners suggested by the jailerrdquo Khan saidHe said the visit took place inside Nashik prison and that the commission met prisoners belonging to all minority communitiesldquoWe have asked the zonal DCP of Azad Maidan police station in Mumbai to investigate who gave wrong statements on this issuerdquo he saidAsked whether Salem had sought his release during the commissionrsquos visit Khan said Salem told one of the commission members that he had completed 25 years in prison and therefore should be releasedldquoHowever we told him that his case is under consideration by the Supreme Court and the High Court and the commission cannot help himrdquo Khan addedKhan rejects Salem release claim says matter outside commissionrsquos jurisdictionSpeaking to news agency IANS in Nagpur Khan said the commissionrsquos jail visits are part of official tours involving the collector commissioner and representatives of relevant departmentsldquoThe commission was established by the government to address the issues faced by minorities During these visits the concerns of the minority community are heard and acted uponrdquo he saidRejecting the allegation that he had sought Salemrsquos release Khan said the decision was outside the commissionrsquos jurisdictionldquoFirstly such a decision does not fall under our jurisdiction Secondly show me any official statement where I have made such a request Thirdly we were not even aware of whether Abu Salem was present there or notrdquo he told IANSKhan said Salem had only raised the issue of his completed jail term with a commission memberldquoAbu Salem merely mentioned to a member of our commission lsquoMy 25 years are complete so shouldnrsquot I be released nowrsquo I responded right there telling him lsquoYour matter is currently under consideration by the Supreme Court and it is outside our jurisdiction We can only address matters based on the list provided to us by the jailerrsquordquo he saidLet the investigation happen says state minority commission chiefOn the VHPrsquos demand for an NIA and CBI investigation Khan said ldquoLet the investigation happen and action should be taken against whoever is guilty be it VHP or Pyare KhanrdquoMeanwhile Khan told a television channel that he had sent defamation notices to some news channels for carrying incorrect reports about the controversyWith PTI and IANS inputs