Charges framed against Monica Bedi

Bhopal, Oct 16(UNI) A local court today framed charges against gangster Abu Salem's friend and actor Monica Bedi in the fake passport case.

Judicial Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Dangi, who framed the charges under sections 12(1)b of the Indian Passports Act and 419, 420, 468, 471 and 120(B) IPC, fixed net hearing on October 26.

Abu Salem and his wife Sameera Jumani, who were also co-accused in the case, were yet to be produced before Bhopal court.

Monica's local lawyer Santosh Verma was present during the half an hour proceedings around noon after she was brought to the court amid tight security from the Central Jail, where she was lodged after being brought here on the night of October 12. She was produced before the court on October 13 also through video conferencing from the jail.

The actor, who was recently convicted by a Hyderabad court in a similar case, was likely to be kept in Bhopal jail during the trial of the fake passport case.

A case was registered in Kohefiza police station here on November 28, 2001 against Abu Salem, his wife Sameera and Monica for preparing passport on the basis of fake documents in the assumed name of Danish Beg, Rubina Beg and Fouzia Usman respectively. Two local citizens- Abdul Siraj and his brother Kabir alias Baba- who assisted them were already on bail.

Monica was first brought presented before the court here in December last year.

UNI XC-SP 1446