A sessions court is all set to deliver its verdict on Wednesday in the hit-and-run case involving Salman Khan, who is charged with killing one person and injuring four by ramming his SUV into a bakery shop in suburban Bandra 13 years ago.
Police have geared up to provide tight security in the court to restrain the actor’s fans from entering the premises with a view to avoiding overcrowding, sessions court sources said.
Salman Khan, 49, pleaded he was not driving the car at the time of mishap and that his driver Ashok Singh was behind the wheel. This has been corroborated by Singh who appeared as defence witness.
However, prosecution led by Pradeep Gharat alleged that Khan was driving after consuming ‘Bacardi Rum’ in a bar. The actor, on the other hand, argued he was having a glass of water and not alcohol.
While prosecution pleaded that there were three persons in the car — Salman, his police bodyguard Ravindra Patil and singer friend Kamal Khan, the actor argued that there was a fourth person and he was Ashok Singh.
The culpable homicide offence, which provides for punishment up to 10 years, is triable by a sessions court and not by a magistrate. Earlier, the magistrate was trying Khan for rash and negligent driving, an offence under IPC which attracts punishment up to two years.
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