M A I N   N E W S

CBI plea on Monica’s extradition rejected
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 18
In a major setback to the CBI, a Portuguese court has turned down India’s request for the extradition of underworld don Abu Salem’s girl friend Monica Bedi.

Following the Portuguese court’s verdict, the premier Indian investigating agency has decided to move a higher court in that country, CBI sources said here today.

India had sought the extradition of Ms Bedi, who was arrested in Lisbon in September last year along with Abu Salem, for forging documents to procure a passport. Abu Salem is the main accused in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case.

The court in Lisbon, where the extradition trial of Monica was going on, has reportedly said the crime committed by her in India was similar to the crime committed by her in Portugal and that she could face the court of law there.

According to the sources, the agency, through the help of the Indian Mission there, has approached the Prosecutor-General of Portugal for filing an appeal in a higher court challenging the trial court’s order and clarifying that Monica had forged documents in this country which led to her arrest in Lisbon.

India has also sought extradition of Abu Salem and provided detailed information about the cases in which he is accused in India.

The Portuguese authorities have sought clarifications from India on the submissions made by Abu Salem in the court. “We are in the process of replying to the clarifications sought by the Portuguese authorities,” a CBI official said.