Monica Bedi files power of attorney for lawyer

     Bhopal: Former Bollywood actress Monica Bedi today filed a power of attorney, nominating a lawyer before a local court here in connection with a fake passport case. "A regular power of attorney, including authorisation letter by Monica Bedi and attested by Superintendent of Hyderabad Jail, was submitted in the court," Bedi's counsel Sudhir Batra told reporters after appearing before Judge DK Dangi. Admitting Bedi had travelled on a fake passport, Batra, however, said that it was not done intentionally. "It was an offence, but was committed without motive. She is purely innocent. Her family wants to free her from the clutches of the gangsters," said Batra. "We want her to be released on the bail bond and surety of her relatives," he added. Fearing that interference by several advocates of Abu Salem to get her released might go against him and his client, Batra said: "I have come to know that several advocates, hired by Abu Salem, want to get her released. This will defeat our purpose," adding that Bedi's father Prem Kumar Bedi from Norway, uncle Purshottamlal Bedi and brother Rinku had contacted him to appear on her behalf. Bedi, who is facing charges of having forged a passport, was extradited from Portugal on November 11 along with Salem. The duo had been held in Portugal since 2002 for using fake documents and resisting arrest.