Monica case: Cook deposes

Bhopal, Feb 21 (UNI) A local court today recorded a witness' statement in a fake passports case wherein underworld don Abu Salem and his starlet-girlfriend Monica Bedi stand accused.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Raveendra Singh accepted defence Counsel P C Bedi's application urging conversion of witnesses into accused under Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Code as the witnesses were part of the conspiracy.

Witnesses were cook Afaq, Uma Shankar Verma -- who signed a ration card -- Municipal Corporation Clerk Johra Bano, Aziz Fatma, Passports Officer Amar Singh, Passports Clerk Indu Nair, Head Constable Irfan Ahmad, Dinesh and the Parwania Police Station House Officer.

Cook Afaq alias Sherkhan confirmed that Monica and Salem had visited the city.

Public Prosecutor R K Motwani, Monica Bedi and to accused Kabir's counsel Rajneesh were present in court today. The hearing will continue tomorrow.

UNI