Agency report
 
Hyderabad, Apr 4: Trial against Monica Bedi, companion of extradited gangster Abu Salem, and facing charges of criminal conspiracy in the fake passport case, would begin in the Special CBI court from April 18, 2006.

The special judge for CBI court C V Subramanyam on Tuesday formally framed charges against Bedi and five others who helped Bedi in acquiring passport from Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh under a fictitious name in 2001 also charged for criminal conspiracy.

The judge posted the case for trial to April 18, 2006.

The CBI earlier chargesheeted Bedi and others for various criminal offences for securing fake passport.

Bedi was also charged with section 120 B of IPC, under which a person can be awarded a maximum punishment of life imprisonment, while five other persons, all government employees, were booked for violating the Passport act and also under Prevention of Corruption Act.

Bedi was arrested on charges of securing a fake passport under a fictitious address in Kurnool and was in judicial remand since November 12, 2005.