Monica case: explanation sought from two police officials

Bhopal, July 17 (UNI) Two persons, including a retired police officer, have been asked to explain alleged laxity in gathering evidence against underworld don Abu Salem's starlet-girlfriend Monica Bedia in a fake passports case.

Superintendent of Police Anant Kumar Singh told UNI here that clarification had been sought from retired Assistant Sub-Inspector J P Pali and Deputy Superintendent of Police S K Shukla.

On Monday, Chief Judicial Magistrate Ajay Shrivastava had acquitted Monica and another accused Kabir alias Baba on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove the charge.

He directed that stern action be initiated by the government against the prosecution and other agencies for failure to bring out facts to nail the accused.

The judge felt that if the people related with the case conducted themselves with total responsibility then the facts would have come to light and the accused would have been punished.

Meanwhile, prosecution would start the process of appealing against the verdict before a district and sessions court.

Monica is being sent to Hyderabad amid police security tonight.

UNI