Monica's case: next hearing on Jan 3

Bhopal, Dec 6 (UNI) A local court has fixed January 3 as the next date of hearing in a fake passports case wherein underworld don Abu Salem and his alleged starlet girlfriend Monica Bedi are among the accused.

Public prosecutor K K Saxena sought more time from CJM Raveendra Singh in order to investigate into the statement given by accused-turned-government witness Shiraz.

Monica was not present in the court.

In his statement, Shiraz had taken name of travel agency owner Mahendra Sharma. However, police did not fiund Mr Sharma guilty and his name was removed from the list of accused.

Defence counsel P C Bedi and Mr Sharma's counsel Sajid Ali were present in the court.

On November 28, 2001, a case was registered at the Koh-i-Fiza Police Station against Salem, his wife Samira Jumani and Monica for having fake passports made at the regional passport office using the names Danish Baig, Rubina Baig and Fauzia Osman respectively.

On October 12, this year, Monica was conveyed here from Hyderabad where she has already been convicted in another case. The bench directed that Salem also be brought before it by December 15.

UNI XC-PS SI VC1830