Bhopal, July 16
A local court today acquitted underworld don Abu Salem’s companion Monica Bedi and another accused in a fake passport case. Chief judicial magistrate Ajay Shrivastava acquitted Monica and Abdul Kabeer of charges under various sections of IPC and the Indian Passport Act on the basis of lack of evidence.

The prosecution has not been able to provide concrete evidence, the judge said while pronouncing the decision. An apparently relieved Monica virtually smiled for the first time after the verdict was announced.

“She said it was unimaginable. She was depressed and lost before the verdict was pronounced. It came as a shock to her and to me too,” Monica’s counsel P.C. Bedi told reporters outside the courtroom. — PTI