Exclusive: Salman Khan acquitted from his 2002 hit-and-run case

Salman Khan has been finally acquitted from his 2002 hit-and-run case. The actor can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

A few minutes back, the Bombay High Court announced its judgement on 2002 hit-and-run case.

The actor who was in Karjat busy shooting for his reality show Bigg Boss 9, but this morning he was asked to appear before the court by 1:30pm following which the superstar rushed back Mumbai and presented itself.

As soon as the actor arrived the proceedings went ahead and the final judgement was announced.

The Bombay High Court has acquitted Salman Khan from his 2002 hit-and-run case, in which he had earlier been sentenced to five years in jail.

"On basis of evidences produced by the prosecution, the appellant cannot be convicted, no matter how differently the common man thinks," the court said on Thursday. [sic]

The Bombay High Court in Wednesday, said that the prosecution had failed to establish beyond doubt that the actor was driving drunk at the time of the accident.

The court questioned Salman's bodyguard, Ravindra Patil's, a key prosecution witness's credibility. He was the only one who said Salman was driving when the accident happened. Patil died in penury in 2007.

"If the witness is partly reliable, then corroboration is required. Ravindra Patil cannot be considered as a wholly reliable witness," said the court, asserting that the sessions court had made a mistake by relying on his statement. [sic]

The court also observed that the manner in which evidence like bar bills had been collected, suggested fabrication.

The court also said not examining singer Kamaal Khan, who was also in the car that night, was an error.

In the early hours of September 28, 2002, the actor's Toyota Land Cruiser crashed into five men sleeping outside the American Bakery in Bandra. One person, Nurullah Sharif, died and four were injured.

Salman Khan's lawyers had argued that his driver Ashok Singh was behind the wheels.

The Salman Khan verdict is being keenly watched by the film industry, with almost Rs. 200 crore riding on the busy actor.

Priyanka Chauhan