Monica case: Defence application accepted

Bhopal, June 19 (UNI) A local court today accepted a defence application to cross-examine a witness' statements in a fake passports case wherein underworld don Abu Salem and his starlet-girlfriend Monica Bedi stand accused.

Chief Judicial Magistrate Ajay Shrivastav fixed tomorrow as the next date for hearing. Monica was present in court amidst tight security and later taken back to the Central Jail.

Defence Counsel P C Bedi urged that accused-turned-government witness Siraj be cross-examined. Earlier, Prosecutor Ramesh Motwani replied to three defence applications submitted previously.

In November 2001, a case was registered by the city police crime branch in 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 fictitious names Danish Baig, Rubina Baig and Fauzia Osman respectively.

UNI