The Maharashtra government has told the Bombay High Court that allowing gangster Abu Salem to go on parole could have serious consequences, including the risk of him fleeing the country and damaging diplomatic relations between India and Portugal. In an affidavit submitted to the court on Tuesday, the state opposed Salem’s request for 14 days of parole following the death of his elder brother. The government said that if any relief is to be granted, it should be limited to a maximum of two days as emergency parole.