LISBON, Nov 28: One of India’s most wanted men, Abu Salem, was sentenced on Friday to four-and-a-half years in prison by a Portuguese court for using forged documents and resisting arrest.

Salem’s companion, Indian film and television actress Monika Bedi, was sentenced to two years in prison for forgery.

The pair, who have been held in preventive detention for 13 months, are now awaiting a decision on a request for their extradition to India.

Abu Salem fled India in 1993 after a series of bombings in Mumbai’s commercial district that he allegedly masterminded. The attacks killed more than 250 people.

As well as being wanted for the bombings, Mr Salem is also wanted in India in connection with more than 60 cases of murder, extortion and kidnapping that mainly targeted Bombay’s film producers and stars.

Salem has denied he was involved in the bombings.—AFP