SC may consider bail to Monica in passport forgery case

New Delhi, Apr 20 (UNI) The Supreme Court today indicated to the state of Madhya Pradesh that if trial of starlet Monica Bedi, wife of mafia don Abu Salem, is not concluded by the next date of hearing, then it may consider granting bail to her in passport forgery case.

Senior counsel K T S Tulsi, appearing for Monica, contended before the court that the passport has not been recovered and signatures on application for the passport and handwriting are not that of the starlet, according to the expert's report.

He also contended before the bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, P K Balasubramanyan and Justice R V Raveendran that his client was in jail from November 10, 2005 after being extradited from portugal and the maximum sentence for an offence under the Passport Act is two years.

Mr Tulsi pleaded for immediate grant of bail to his client.

The court directed the Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Bhopal to conclude the trial before May 17, the next date of hearing fixed by the apex court.

The court also directed state of Madhya Pradesh to file a status report.

Monica is facing allegations of travelling on forged passport.

According to her, she was in Dubai at the time of allegedly commiting the offence.

UNI