New Delhi, December 1
In a major success for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Portugal High Court has ordered the extradition of Monica Bedi, wife of underworld don and prime accused in the Mumbai blasts case Abu Salem, to India where she is facing charges of forgery.
A communication in this regard has been received today by the CBI from the Indian Mission in Portugal, agency sources said here.
The verdict of the Portugal court in favour of India’s extradition request has now made the task of the CBI easier and opened the doors for Monica’s extradition, sources said.
The order of the High Court comes after the Portuguese Supreme Court asked it to review the order of trial court, which had quashed a CBI petition for her extradition to India. Now, Bedi has the legal right to approach the Supreme Court.
Monica Bedi, who was sentenced by a Sessions Court to two years imprisonment last week, was arrested in Lisbon on September 18, 2002 on charges of possessing illegal visa and staying in the country illegally.
The same court had also held Abu Salem guilty on three counts — entering the country on forged documents, resisting arrest and causing injury to a public servant — and awarded him four and a half years jail term.
