Fans in Jubilation as Salman ‘Bhai’ Acquitted, Victims
Follow the live updates for Salman Khan hit-and-run verdict in Bombay High Court today.
As fans celebrate and Bollywood welcomes the verdict, victims of the accident still wonder.
One of the victims Abdullah said, “Salman was there with two people, I don’t know who was driving but the car belonged to Salman Khan”.
Fans celebrate outside Galaxy Apartments, Salman Khan’s residence in Mumbai.
Bombay High Court has acquitted Salman Khan of all charges against him. The superstar is now a free man.
But if it wasn’t Salman, who is the killer? Who is responsible for the death of Nurullah and injuring five others? Thirteen years later, the question still remains unanswered.
Here’s what the court said in its order before pronouncing Salman free.
- The probe conducted by the police was faulty and the prosecution’s case was shoddy.
- The evidence submitted is not enough to convict Salman Khan.
- Driver Ashok Singh’s testimony was accepted.
- Witness Ravindra Patil’s statement was discarded.
- Not proven that Salman was at the wheel.
Salman Khan’s first response to the verdict is out.
Bollywood welcomes the verdict.
“I am happy for him. It’s been 13 years since the case is going on. The family was on tenterhooks. He is a good person. He deserves justice. I do feel bad for the people who lost their lives, got injured. I do feel bad for the tragedy,” said veteran actor Anupam Kher.
Huge Relief for Salman
The Bombay High Court on Thursday acquitted Bollywood star Salman Khan of all charges in the September 28, 2002 hit-and-run case.
Delivering the much-awaited verdict, Justice AR Joshi said that the actor “cannot be convicted” on the basis of the evidence produced by the prosecution in the 13-year old case and trial.
Most family members, including his father Salim Khan, his sisters, brothers, friends and fans were present when the judgement was pronounced.
Salman, surrounded by his family members, broke down after hearing the verdict.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government says,
There was some chaos in the courtroom because many people unrelated to the case were present there to catch a glimpse of the actor.
Scenes at the Bombay High Court.
Reactions to Salman Khan’s Acquittal
Salman Khan’s lawyer Amit Desai says it was a “professionally satisfying day” for him.
Shobhaa De says “hats off to the Bombay HC.”
Salman Khan reaches Bombay High Court. A reporter present inside the court room calls it a “stampede-like situation.”
Ahead of the verdict the courtroom fills up with unrelated staff and public who had come to see Salman Khan.
Earlier, the Bombay HC had observed,
- Site map of the accident provided by Bandra police was prepared after the car was towed away from the spot.
- Infirmities in interview given to Mid-day (newspaper) by key witness Ravindra Patil as claimed by actor cannot be accepted.
Security tightened in Bombay High Court.
Bombay HC observes that the investigation was “faulty” with scant regard to procedure.
Times Now reports that Justice AR Joshi raised questions about the investigation saying it was “conducted to keep loose ends” and raised “doubts” about Salman Khan’s involvement.
The judge has gone back to the chambers after reading a large part of the verdict. Can safely say that the conviction has been overturned, reports CNN-IBN’s Smita Nair.
Salman Khan is yet to arrive in court. This morning he was reportedly shooting for a film/TV show at a location outside Mumbai and is on his way back.
Police Probe was “Deplorable”: Bombay HC
The Bombay HC observed that the police probe in the case was “deplorable.”
Bombay HC also says “It’s for a good reason that law of evidence has no room for general public opinion.”
Prosecution Has Failed to Prove any Charges Against Salman Khan: Bombay HC
The Bombay HC has noted in its ruling that,
- Prosecution failed to establish its case on all charges against Salman Khan.
- Bombay HC says that the trial in sessions court in the 2002 hit and run case was not proper and legal.
Salman Khan has left ND Studio in Karjat for Bombay High Court. Karjat is over 62 kilometres from Mumbai.
Salman Khan’s sister Alvira arrives at Bombay High Court ahead of the verdict.
HC Asks for Salman Khan’s Presence During Verdict
The court asked Salman Khan to be personally present while the verdict is being pronounced. Salman’s lawyers sought time for the arrangements to be made. It is likely that the actor may present himself at the court by 1:30 pm.
Verdict to be Pronounced in a Few Hours
In a few hours the Bombay High Court is expected deliver its verdict on the appeal filed by actor Salman Khan against the five-year sentence awarded to him in the 2002 hit-and-run case.
The verdict was dictated in an open court over the past three days. While the final verdict is pending, the court hinted at its reluctance to consider some crucial evidence and witness which formed the basis of Salman Khan’s conviction.
Read the key highlights from what has been dictated so far.
Ravindra Patil’s Evidence Will Not Be Considered: HC
The Bombay High Court ruled that the sessions court had erred in accepting the late Ravindra Patil’s evidence against Salman Khan. The high court indicated that it won’t consider Patil’s evidence in its verdict.
The lower court had centered its conviction on Patil’s testimony.
The sessions court had on May 6 convicted the 49-year-old actor on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Aggrieved, Salman filed an appeal in the High Court which had granted him bail before hearing arguments in the case.
In the timeline of event described below, PW stands for prosecution witness.
- One of the witnesses saw three people in the car, including Salman Khan, but no further concrete evidence exists.
- Given that Salman Khan was seen sitting in the driver’s seat, it follows logically that he drove the car.
- Salman Khan entered the JW Marriott Hotel in a land cruiser, though a witness says that he did not see how or when the car left the hotel.
- Salman’s friend Kamaal Khan was present at the time.
- Post the accident, another witness, PW 3, had stated that he had seen the accused falling on the ground twice and then standing up and running away.
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