'Hit-and-run case': Accident victims have forgiven Salman Khan, but want compensation

Mumbai, Dec 11: The HC verdict on Salman Khan's hit and run case yesterday brought tears of joy in many eyes, but there were others that went ignored. The victims' families who have been left with a permanent scar do not want Salman behind bars, but have sought financial support for their irretrievable loss and consequences.

26-year old daily wage worker, Firoz Shaikh lost his father, the sole casualty in the hit and run case. With the only breadwinner and his last hope of studying gone, Firoz had to quit his studies and start working.

"It changed the course of my life for the worse. I don't care if he is convicted or acquitted. It does not make any difference to my life. I will always pray that God bless him in every way," he said after Thursday's verdict. He now says that all he is concerned about is some kind of monetary help as he has no means to earn money, given his educational background.

However, the rest four victims Mannu Khan, Mohammad Kalim Iqbal Pathan, Mohammad Abdullah Shaikh and Muslim Niyamat Shaikh were approving of the verdict, especially as they have been maimed for life and two of them cannot even work. They were forced to get back to their native place.

[Read: Hit-and-Run Case Verdict: Good News for Salman Khan, actor is a Free Bird now]

"We are poor and our opinion doesn't matter to anyone. We have forgotten everything and rarely discussed the accident with our father," said Ayub Khan, whose father Mannu was also injured. "Whatever happens, it happens for good," he added after the verdict. The Father and son duo now work in a bakery in a Ghatkopar slum.

Firoz too has moved on and has a family. His mother had remarried after his father's death but still seek justice. "My mother remarried. She works as a domestic help and also does some tailoring jobs to support her new family. Although she has moved on and made a new life for herself, she wants to see him (Salman) punished," said Firoz.

[Read: Salman Khan turns emotional, breaks down after hearing verdict]

He says that he has no ill-feelings for the actor but expected some help from him. "It was an accident. But the least they could have done is reached out to us. They could most definitely afford to," he said.

OneIndia News