Monica case: Cop deposes

Bhopal, Mar 2 (UNI) A local court today recorded the statement of the then Station House Officer, Parwalia, in a fake passports case wherein underworld don Abu Salem and his starlet-girlfriend Monica Bedi are accused.

Mr Dinesh Vaishya deposed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

Special Judge Anurag Shrivastav will tomorrow hear a review petition filed by the defence after its plea -- to convert the witnesses into accused -- was dismissed. March 6 is the next date for hearing the criminal case.

While Defence Counsel P C Bedi was cross-examining Mr Vaishya, the latter admitted that a departmental inquiry was initiated against him and Head Constable Irfan following carelessness in passport verification.

''Head Constable Irfan made inquiries at a certain address in connection with the passports of Salem, his wife Samira Jumani and Monica,'' the witness said.

When asked whether information was obtained from the witnesses -- two are mandatory for a passport -- Mr Vaishya claimed that it was not imperative to gather any such information. He denied any complicity in making the fake passports.

Public Prosecutor R K Motwani was also present.

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

UNI