He had divorced his first wife before marrying Monica, he told interrogators, O P Chatwal, Deputy Inspector General of CBI, told reporters in Mumbai on Sunday.

Salem had eloped with a 17-year-old girl Sameera Jumani, his neighbour in Mumbai, in December 1991. Her parents had then lodged a complaint with the police and since she was minor, Salem was charged with kidnapping.

The girl returned some days later. Salem was arrested and released on bail. After she attained adulthood, they married but it is not known when the divorce took place.

In the TADA court, Salem had earlier stated that Monica was his only wife when the prosecution referred to her as his "second wife".

The CBI officer also said that though Salem is known to have married Monica, it is not known whether the marriage was registered and if any documents pertaining to it are available.

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