Mumbai, Feb 20: City-based advocate Ashar Palavi, paramour of gangster Abu Salem, attempted to commit suicide by consuming sleeping pills here. Palavi was the assistant of Advocate Ashok Sarogi, who was representing the underworld don before the TADA court for his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, police said.

She was admitted in the Lifeline Hospital at Ghatkopar in Mumbai suburb late last night, an official source said. Palavi allegedly consumed four sleeping pills following some differences with her senior but no statement has been recorded from her, the police added.

The alleged affair led to parting of ways for Sarogi and Salem as Sarogi, who was aware of the don's soft corner for his assistant, decided to stay away from his case. Since then Sarogi has steadfastly refused to meet Salem despite the latter's several attempts, sources said.

Relations between Salem and Sarogi got strained when Salem was informed that Sarogi had leaked his love affair to the media. During the past one year, Palavi had been visiting Salem at Arthur Road Jail every alternate day for briefings, the sources said. Due to the alleged affair, Sarogi had removed Palavi from his chamber, the sources added.

UNI