Monica case takes dramatic turn

Bhopal, Oct 17 (UNI) The much-debated fake passport case, in which underworld don Abu Salem is one of five accused, took a dramatic turn today when accused Abdul Siraj -- who hails from this city -- urged a local court to convert him into a witness.

''An application of this nature was submitted,'' said Public Prosecutor Ramesh Motwani.

Judicial Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Dangi's court recorded two witnesses' statements. Salem's girlfriend and former Bollywood starlet Monica Bedi was also present as an accused this afternoon.

The Koh-i-Fiza Police Station's then sub-inspector Anil Maurya and Constable Sitaram Hadria deposed.

Defence Counsel Santosh Verma urged the court not to cross-examine the witnesses but the bench rejected it.

''A revision petition is being filed in the district court.

Therefore, the cross-examination should be postponed,'' Mr Verma submitted.

The bench maintained that the cross-examination could not be halted until the district court issued a stay.

Monica, who was brought to court at about 1230 hrs amid tight security and stayed for roughly 75 minutes, also urged the bench to postpone cross-examination as one of her lawyers could not arrive from Hyderabad.

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