Monica is an innocent child misled by Salem, say the parents of the companion of extradited underworld don Abu Salem [Images] now in Mumbai police custody.

• Abu Salem Extradited

She never knew Salem's true identity until she moved to Dubai, they said.

Monica Bedi's [Images] father Prem Bedi is coming to India next week to help his daughter, he told Star TV in Norway, where the family is settled.

In the meantime, her brother in Hoshiarpur was chipping in with help, he said.

Prem Bedi said that while his daughter may have used a fake passport, she never did so willingly. He insisted that she used a fake passport under pressure from Abu Salem.

The last time she met his father she was crying and saying, "Papa I have got stuck," he said.

"She never married Salem. She was trapped. Norwegian children are very innocent," said Monica's mother Shakumtala.

Monica's father said he met Salem for the first time when he was in jail in Portugal where he introduced himself as Sanjay.

"Salem never gave me any impression of being a notorious underworld gangster, but insisted that he was innocent and was being framed, perhaps for his being connected with bad people. He was very courteous during the meeting," said Prem Bedi.