Abu Salem pines for birthday girl Monica

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sheetal

@sheetald

Rocker

Posted: 19 years ago

Monica Bedi

Once-feared gangster Abu Salem showed the police his softer side yesterday, when he told an Anti-terrorism Squad official, "I miss Monica. It's her birthday today, and I wish I could meet her in person."

Monica Bedi, who turned 32 yesterday, is in judicial custody in Hyderabad, where she faces charges in a fake passport case.

In his prime, Salem spent lakhs on birthday presents for his girlfriend every year. Among the lavish gifts he bought her were a diamond necklace, an imported car, a Rs 25 lakh flat and even two film roles.

A Bollywood source who was once in touch with the former starlet said, "Salem used to give Monica expensive gifts from the time he met her. She used to introduce him to her friends as an export business tycoon."

The source added, "In 1999, he gave her a Rs 25 lakh diamond jewellery set. The next year, it was an imported car. It was only when they were arrested in Lisbon that we found out the tycoon was in fact gangster Abu Salem."

Monica… oh my darling!

What Salem has bought Bedi over the years
• 1999: Diamond set worth Rs 25 lakh
• 2000: Imported SUV worth Rs 18 lakh
• 2001: Two-bedroom flat worth Rs 25 lakh in Shantivan building at Oshiwara (above)
• 2002: Roles in two films: Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, and Jodi No 1