Mumbai: The actor was convicted and sentenced to five years’ rigorous imprisonment on various charges under IPC, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Salman will furnish a bail bond of Rs 30,000. The court will be on vacation till June 15, which is when fresh directions will be given.
His bail appeal has been admitted and the next hearing will be held before July. The actor can travel abroad, but only after the High Court clears it. His passport is with the court.
The actor had been exempted from appearing in court today. He is at home and is yet to come out. Salman Khan had broken down in the Sessions court on Wednesday when he was sentenced.
Salman Khan’s lawyers argued today that the findings of the lower court were “perverse,” alleging that witnesses’ statements were “ignored.” They asked why Salman Khan’s cousin Kamal Khan, a witness to the events of 13 years ago, was not examined by the prosecution.
On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Judge DW Deshpande held Salman Khan guilty on all the prosecution’s seven charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash and drunken driving and driving without a valid licence.
In a 240-page judgment, Judge Deshpande has said, “I find that it is established beyond reasonable doubt by prosecution that accused was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident,” rejecting the actor’s submission that his driver Ashok Singh was driving.
He also observed that Salman Khan “did not wait for police on the spot… Instead of visiting police station, the accused went to his house and till 10.30 a.m. he hided himself… If really the accused did not commit any wrong, he could have visited the police station immediately. (sic)”
In the early hours of September 28, 2002, Salman’s Toyota Land Cruiser ran over a group of men sleeping on the pavement in front of a bakery not far from the actor’s sea-facing home in Galaxy Apartments in upscale Bandra (West). One man died, four were injured.
Bureau Report
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