Announcing the quantum of sentence Chief Judicial Magistrate R J Singh, (CJM), pronounced two years' of imprisonment each under Indian Penal Code's Section 471 (fake document) and Section 12(1)(d) (Passport Act). Besides this, CJM slammed a total fine of Rs. 10,000 (Rs. 5,000 each under both sections) under which he was found guilty on Tuesday.

Singh, while convicting Abu Salem on Tuesday, had deferred handing over the quantum of sentence as his counsel P C Bedi had sought more time for submission of arguments.

It may be noted here that Abu Salem has already cooled his heels for three years and six days till date in judicial custody. Hence, he will have to undergo imprisonment for about one more year in the fake passport case.

One of the two co-accused - Salem's wife Samira Jumani - is absconding while her girlfriend actress Monica Bedi was acquitted by the court in July 2007. Monica was in Bhopal jail from Dec. 4, 2006 to July 16, 2007. Two other accused — Syed Abdul Jaleel alias Shiraz and Syed Abdul Kabeer alias Baba were acquitted in the case in July 2007. They had turned prosecution witnesses.

On Nov. 28, 2001, a First Information Report was registered at the Koh-e-Fiza Police Station in Bhopal against Salem, his wife Samira Jumani and  Monica for having fake passports made at the regional passport office under the forged names of Danish Baig, Rubina Baig and Fauzia Osman respectively.

After his arrest, Salem was presented before the court on Nov.13, 2007. He was remanded to police custody. A charge sheet was submitted against him on Feb. 11, 2008, and charges were framed on June 16, 2009.

It may be pointed out here that the 42-year-old Abu Salem was extradited from Portugal along with Monica in 2005 and has been lodged at Arthur Road jail since then. He is being tried for a total of nine cases out of which two are murder-related.