Abu Salem convicted in fake passport case; verdict on November 19

Underworld don Abu Salem was today convicted on two counts in a 2001 fake passport case by a local court in Bhopal.

The extradited gangster was found guilty under IPC section 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and section 12(1)(B) (suppression of information) of the Indian Passport Act by the court. He, was, however acquitted of charge under IPC section 468 (forgery).

Chief judicial magistrate RG Singh will pronounce the quantum of sentence on November 19 after hearing Salem's advocate PC Bedi's arguments.

Salem, extradited from Portugal in 2005, was present in the court today. He was brought from a Mumbai jail under tight security.

The defence counsel argued that there is no provision of sentence under IPC section 471, while under section 12(1)(B) of the Passport Act, a maximum of two-year jail term can be awarded.

Bedi pointed out that Salem has already spent three years in the jail as under trial in the case.

The court has already acquitted Monica Bedi, Bollywood actress and Salem's alleged companion, in the same case. Another accused, Siraj, had turned prosecution witness.

The case was filed against Salem, Bedi and Siraj here in 2001. They were accused of obtaining passports under fictitious names.