Bhopal court issues warrant against Salem

Bhopal, Oct 26 (UNI) A local court today issued a production warrant against underworld don Abu Salem who stands accused in a fake passports case.

Salem's girlfriend and Bollywood starlet Monica Bedi's counsel objected to another accused Siraj's application for being converted into a government witness. Chief Judicial Magistrate Dinesh Kumar Dangi ordered that Salem be brought here by December 15.

The don, extradited from Portugal, is incarcerated in Mumbai as he also stands accused of the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

During the deposition of witness Naseem, Defence Counsel P C Bedi submitted a revision petition against Monica's version not being heard prior to charges being framed. The plea will be heard on November 1. Another application urged that the defence be heard prior to converting Siraj into a government witness.

(Eds: Pl pick up suitably from earlier series.) UNI AG-AC VD HT1915