Date:03/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/03/stories/2006080307690600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Judge orders Monica Bedi to be charged under section 420

Legal Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Special Judge dealing with the CBI cases at Hyderabad has been directed by the A.P. High Court to frame charges under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against actor Monica Bedi and others in a case pertaining to forged passports. Justice K. C. Bhanu was allowing the revision petition filed by the CBI. The CBI had complained to the High Court that the Special Judge hearing the case against Ms. Bedi and others did not frame charge under section 420 that pertains to inter alia cheating. The Judge allowed the revision petition and directed the CBI court to frame the charge under section 420. Ms. Bedi, a companion of Abu Salem, suspected to be an underworld operative, is lodged in Chanchalguda jail on charges of possessing a fake passport after her deportation from Portugal.