Monica's bail plea rejected, next hearing on March 27

Bhopal, Mar 14 (UNI) A local court today rejected the bail plea of extradited underworld don Abu Salem's companion Monica Bedi in a fake passport case and extended her judicial custody up to March 27.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Dangi rejected the plea after hearing both sides.

Defence Counsel Sandeep Gupta contended that the Bollywood starlet be granted bail, as police had failed to produce 'challan' within 90 days.

The court ruled that bail could not be granted since some documents from Canada and Portugal were awaited.

Prosecution said the actress must not be granted bail, as investigation was underway and further interrogation could be required.

The next date for hearing has been fixed on March 27.

The state capital police had registered cases against Salem, his wife Samira Jumani and Monica for obtaining fake passports from regional passport office here in names of Danish Baig, Rubina Baig and Faujia Usman on November 2001.

Earlier, Monica was presented before the CJM's court on December 5, 2005, after being brought from Hyderabad. She was sent to two days' police remand before being sent back to jail in Hyderabad.

UNI AG-PS PR KN2211