Monica's plea on film-career: SC to hear today

New Delhi, Nov 2: The Supreme Court will hear today former Bollywood actress and companion of underworld don Abu Salem, Monica Bedi's plea seeking permission to restart her film career. A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan will hear the petition. Bedi, who was acquitted in a passport forgery case in Bhopal, was granted bail in a similar case pending in Hyderabad by the apex court. The court had asked Bedi not leave to her permanent residence at Chabbowal village in Punjab's Hoshairpur District without prior permission.

Her counsel, senior advocate K T S Tulsi, said Bedi has been flooded with offers from various film producers, but this would entail travelling to Delhi and Hyderabad frequently.

In her petition, the actress said that she was unable to accept the offers owing to the conditions imposed on her movement by the apex court.

"It is not possible for the petitioner (Monica) to practice her profession while remaining in her village and awaiting police permission every time she had to undertake a visit outside," the petition said.

The actress also said she did not want to depend on her parents or relatives for her livelihood.

Quoting Article 19 of the Constitution, the petitioner said, "right to freedom of trade and profession is fundamental" and hence, she cannot be denied the right to act in films by restricting her stay to a particular village. ANI>