Judgement day for Monica in fake passports case

Bhopal, July 15: The Chief Judicial Magistrate's court is scheduled to pronounce its judgement on July 16 on underworld don Abu Salem's starlet-girlfriend Monica Bedi who stands accused in a fake passports case. Monica, who was brought up in Canada, ventured from the silver screen into the shadowy world of crime and is lodged at the Central Jail here.

Prison sources said Monica was in profound tension for the past couple of days and is not interacting much. She appeared relatively carefree in the initial days after being brought here from a Hyderabad jail about nine months back. During the trial period she once fainted in court.

In November 2001, a case was registered by the city police Crime Branch at 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.

The Court has issued a production warrant against Salem. Samira is reported to be in America. Salem and Monica were extradited from Portugal.

Every morning, Monica regularly performs Yoga and other exercises. She constantly urges that boiled green vegetables be provided to her. About ten inmates share her barrack and she converses with them besides teaching them dance and acting! She made the offer herself.

Monica never refers to either Salem or the underworld. ''I am innocent,'' she claimed when probed. The accused does not have any special interest in worship but reads English spiritual books. She comes dressed in a variety of garments during hearings and an allegation was made that special facilities were being extended to her.

Dismissing those accusation, Prison Superintendent P D Somkuwar said, ''as an undertrail she is free to wear what she likes but is allowed to keep only four to five pairs. The accused was carrying several garments most of which have been sent to her lawyer.'' Monica uses a few creams and lotions. The Jail boasts a beauty parlour that is run by inmates. Monica goes to the parlour but prefers to use her own make-up kit.

After being extradited, Monica was incarcerated at Hyderabad where she was awarded a five-year sentence in September 2006 by a CBI Special Court in a case again relating to the fake passports.

The High Court later reduced it to three years and bail was granted.

Monica was brought here on October 12, 2006 in the wake of a warrant issued on November 17, 2005. A petition submitted by the accused in the Supreme Court led to issuance of notices against the Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh governments.

Recently, Monica penned a letter urging transfer of the case to Delhi or Mumbai while questioning the integrity of the Prosecution and investigating agencies.

UNI