Monica case: Hearing on February 26

Bhopal, Feb 24 (UNI) Certain unavoidable circumstances today prevented a local court from conducting hearing in a fake passports case wherein underworld don Abu Salem and his starlet-girlfriend Monica Bedi stand accused.

Ruling on a defence application urging conversion of witnesses into accused was likely to take place during hearing on February 26.

On February 22, after hearing the conclusion of arguments on the defence application, Chief Judicial Magistrate Raveendra Singh had reserved the ruling until February 24.

The witnesses were cook Afaq alias Sherkhan, 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.

''Accused-turned-government witness Shiraz's statement makes it clear that travel agent Mahendra Sharma had the fake passports and ration cards made. In such a situation why did the police not name as accused the person who hatched the conspiracy,'' Defence Counsel P C Bedi had said.

The advocate also quoted Shiraz as saying that Sharma took a bribe of Rs 35,000 for each of three passports and ration cards.

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.

UNI