HYDERABAD: Underworld don Abu Salem, the key accused in a fake passport case was produced before the special CBI court here on Thursday. Salem was brought from Mumbai amidst heavy security. The CBI counsel said that they had questioned as many as 39 witnesses and collected 52 documents in connection with the case. After hearing the CBI's arguments, the court posted the hearing for January 23.
The investigating agency had filed a case against Salem, former actress Monica Bedi, his first wife Sameera Jumani and others for procuring passports using fake names and addresses and posing as residents of Pedapadu in Kurnool district in 2001. Monica Bedi's passport was issued in the name of one Sana Malik Kamal and Salem's was in the name of Ramil Kamal Malik.
Charges were also framed against Abu Salem under 120B (criminal conspiracy), 419 (impersonation), 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery) and 471 (using forged documents) of IPC and 12 (1) B of the Passport Act.
Monica Bedi was sentenced to five years imprisonment in 2007. The Supreme Court later released her on bail.