Monica case: Superintendent deposes

Bhopal, Mar 6 (UNI) A local court today recorded the statement of the Superintendent, Passports Office, in a fake passports case against underworld don Abu Salem and his starlet-girlfriend Monica Bedi.

''The passports of Danish Baig (Salem), Rubina Baig (Salem's wife Samira Jumani) and Fauzia Osman (Monica) were sent for police verification from my office. After the police report was received, letters were dispatched to the trio informing them that they had not submitted birth certificates,'' said Superintendent Amar Jeenus Lakda.

Later, they submitted affidavits in that regard and the passports were issued after verification was completed, he added.

Defence Counsel P C Bedi refused to cross-examine the witness by saying that Public Prosecutor R K Motwani made related documents available only today. The cross-examination will take place tomorrow. Monica was brought to court amidst heavy security.

Witnesses J P Pali and Mujeeb Nazmi could not appear as they were out of station.

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 passports office using the names Danish, Rubina and Fauzia respectively.

UNI