2002 hit-and-run case: Date of verdict in Salman Khan's case to be fixed on April 20

Mumbai, Apr 18: It has been nearly 13 years that the 2002 hit-and-run-case has been going on. But it seems the case will get over soon as a trial court today said it would fix on April 20 the date for pronouncement of judgement in the 13-year-old case in which Bollywood actor Salman Khan is an accused.

The court also refused to give the defence more time to conclude its final arguments.

"I would decide on Monday the date of the judgement," said Sessions Judge D W Deshpande, when Khan's

Shrikant Shivade said he needed more time.

"Conclude your argument by April 20 and no further time would be given either to the defence or prosecution to make more submissions," the judge said.

The prosecution has already argued its case. Altogether 27 witnesses were examined by the prosecution while the defence examined only one witness -- Khan's driver Ashok Singh.

The 49-year-old actor is accused of ramming his Toyota Land Cruiser into a bakery in suburban Bandra on September 28, 2002, killing one person and injuring four others.

He has been charged with 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' which attracts ten years imprisonment. The sessions court is conducting a fresh trial.

Earlier, the magistrate's court was trying Khan for the lesser charge of rash and negligent driving, which attracts two years jail term.

However, mid-way during the trial, the magistrate felt that the charge of 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' should be added, and he referred the case to the sessions court as the offence is not triable by a lower court.

Both Defence and prosecution is trying their best to prove their point in the case. While prosecution is trying his best to prove actor guilty, Defence is leaving no stone unturned to prove that Salman Khan is being implicated in false case.

A new twist in the case?

Unveiling new twist in the case, the lawyer said that victim sustained serious injuries not in the mishap itself, but when the wrecked car fell on them while being lifted by a crane.

The prosecution's case is that Khan rammed his Toyota Land Cruiser into a bakery in suburban Bandra on September 28, 2002, killing one and injuring four others.

"There are circumstances to suggest that the car dropped on the persons who were underneath when it was being lifted with the help of a crane brought by police after the mishap," said defence lawyer Shrikant Shivade in his final arguments before sessions judge D W Deshpande.

Salman Khan has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder and if convicted, the actor may have to face jail term of upto ten years.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from agencies)