Bollywood actor Salman Khan acquitted in hit-and-run case

Salman Khan has repeatedly denied that he was driving the vehicle.

Bollywood filmstar Salman Khan today walked out from the Bombay High Court a free man after the court overturned the verdict of the trial court sentencing him to five years imprisonment for running his auto over five persons sleeping on the footpath, in what is termed as “hit-and-run” case. “On basis of evidences produced by the prosecution, the appellant can not be convicted, no matter how differently the common man thinks”, said the court. As far as the deposition of Ashok Singh, the family driver of Salim Khan, is concerned, it was as per rules and laid down procedures of criminal law, the court said.

After pronouncing the verdict, Justice Joshi left the court, following which Khan came out of the witness box and mingled with his family and lawyers.

While acquitting the 49-year-old actor in a jampacked courtroom, Justice A R Joshi said, “The appeal is allowed”.

On Wednesday, the Bombay High Court stated that the judges were wrong to accept a testimony Khan’s former bodyguard, Ravindra Patil.

Justice for Sharif or others who were injured in the accident is still awaiting and court’s final ruling might force them to believe that they themselves were responsible for what happened to them on one dark night!!!

The court said the prosecution has failed to establish its case on all charges.

In 2002, Salman was drunk and his auto ran over the people on the footpath outside a bakery in Mumbai.

The prosecution’s case during the trial firmly rested on the statement of Patil, who died in 2007, much before the case was tried afresh under the more serious charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Patil was a key witness in the case and had stated that Khan had been drunk, and was speeding and had ignored his warnings to slow down. “Salman will execute the bond in a little while and the passport will be returned”, he said.