Bombay High Court verdict on Salman Khan’s infamous hit and run case

This is definitely going to send the Bollywood and other film industry celebrities as well as the fans of Salman Khan in a festive mood.

An Indian court yesterday cleared Bollywood star Salman Khan of killing a homeless man in a hit-and-run crash 13 years ago, acquitting him of all charges after he appealed against his conviction.

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.

“So far as the client is concerned, it’s a big relief after 13 years of journey that he has gone through”, Amit Desai, Salman’ lawyer told reporters here. After the official announcement, Salman who was reduced to tears, completed the paper work and other formalities before walking out of the court.

While Salman Khan walks away free, the legal heirs of the deceased Nurulla Sharif are contesting in the Bombay High Court as to who would get the Rs10 lakh compensation that the actor had deposited in the court in 2002.

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

The Bombay High Court bench found fault with the way the prosecution collected its evidence and conducted the case, saying there wasn’t reason enough to convict the actor.

The Bombay high court, however, said Salman Khan can not be convicted in the case, as the prosecution has not proven the charges against the actor.

“Even if his statement has to be considered as partially reliable, there has to be corroboration in evidence which is not existing in this case”, the judge added.

Mumbai Police invoked section 304-II of IPC i.e culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which attracts punishment of a jail term of 10 years, one year after the accident in October 2002.

“The Maharashtra Police must go and appeal”.

The prosecution is planning to challenge with verdict at the supreme court. The judge reportedly cited questions about testimony by a key prosecution witness who has since died.