Cross examination of Ravindra Patil completed

Mumbai, Mar 16 (UNI) Cross-examination of Ravindra Patil, the prime witness and former bodyguard of Bollywood actor Salman Khan, was today completed in the hit-and-run case involving the actor which claimed one life and injured four others at Pali Hill, Bandra, on September 28, 2002.

Patil, who failed to appeared on five previous occasions, today told the court that he did not depose as he was mentally depressed.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate J B Pankhe had issued a non-bailable warrant against Patil for his absence. He was arrested from a hotel at Mahabaleshwar and produced before the court today.

Magistrate Panke, who is presiding over the trial had taken suo motu action with regard to the interview given by Patil to a leading eveniger.

The witness said he did not seek permission from his superiors prior to the interview given to the news paper. He further told the court that he did not know the person to whom he had given the interview.

Additional Police Prosecutor A S Nagrale said the witness has supported the prosecution and his non-bailable warrant was cancelled following the execution of warrants and now since his examination has been completed, he has been discharged from police custody.

The matter will now come up for hearing on March 23.

UNI ST KD SHR DB2317