Monica Bedi's acquittal to be challenged

BHOPAL: The acquittal of underworld don Abu Salem's companion Monica Bedi in a fake passport case here will be challenged in the district and sessions court, a senior police officer said on Wednesday.

The prosecution will appal against the chief judicial magistrate's decision to acquit Bedi due to lack of evidence, Deputy Inspector General of Police Anuradha Shankar told.

The move came soon after show-cause notices were issued to two police officers against whom the court had passed adverse remarks in its 62-page verdict that acquitted Bedi and another accused on July 16, she said.

Superintendent of Police A K Singh issued the notices to retired Deputy Superintendent of Police J P Pali and DSP Shailendra Shukla.

The court had passed adverse comments against the two officers and a head constable, who died during the course of the hearing, Shankar said.

Bedi, Salem, his wife Sameera Jumani and two others were charged with procuring passports on the basis of forged documents in 2000.