Monica case hearing posted for Feb 26

Bhopal, Feb 24 (UNI) A local court today posted the hearing of the fake passport case involving extradited underworld don Abu Salem and his girlfriend Monica Bedi for February 26.

The hearing was scheduled for today but could not take place and now the ruling on a defence application urging conversion of witnesses into accused will be heard 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 got the fake passports and ration cards made. In such a situation, why did the police not name the person as accused 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