Monica considering acting after release

Bhopal, July 17 (UNI) A day after she was acquitted by a local court in a fake passports case for want of proof, underworld don Abu Salem's starlet-girlfriend Monica Bedi described her acquittal as unexpected and said she is considering working in movies after her release.

''The verdict was unexpected. I had not even thought about it,'' Monica told reporters in the presence of her advocate P C Bedi here today.

Monica would be taken to Hyderabad -- where she was convicted in a similar case -- via train in police custody tonight.

Although she has been granted bail in that case, it is expected that way for Monica's release could be paved after some legal formalities.

Describing her two-year experience in jails as painful, she said she used to impart yoga training and training on dance and acting to fellow inmates.

Denying media reports of surveillance being carried out on her using close-circuit cameras in jail, she said females were more protected in jails than outside.

''Usually people don't have good opinion about women lodged in jails. Many times their families do not accept them,'' she said.

Meanwhile, when she was asked about her relations with Salem, Monica thanked the media and ended the interview.

A case was registered at Koh-i-Fiza Police Station on November 28, 2001 against Salem, his wife Samira Jumani and Monica for having made fake passports from Bhopal's Regional Passport Office in the assumed names of Danish Baig, Rubina Baig and Fauzia Osman respectively.

UNI