A Mumbai sessions court will pronounce its verdict tomorrow in the hit-and-run case against Bollywood superstar Salman Khan who, if convicted, could face upto 10 years in jail.
The judgement in the over 12-year-old case, whose trial saw many twists and turns, can make or mar the career of the actor on whom ride investments of over Rs 200 crore.
A tight security blanket will be thrown around the court when sessions judge DW Deshpande pronounces the judgement on Wednesday. Only the lawyers, media and the court staff will be allowed to be present.
49-year-old Bollywood actor Salman Khan is accused in a 12-year-old case. On September 2002, the actor’s SUV rammed onto a roadside bakery in Bandra, Mumbai. One person was killed and four others were injured.
The Charges:
Salman Khan is facing charges under the Indian Penal Code, the Motor Vehicles Act and the Bombay Prohibition Act.
He is charged under:
IPC Section 304 part II (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) which attracts upto 10 years in prison.
IPC Section 279 (rash and negligent driving) which stipulates six months jail.
IPC Sections 337 & 338 (causing hurt by act endangering life and causing grievous hurt respectively) with punishment up to two years.
IPC Section 427 (mischief causing damage to property) with a maximum punishment of upto two years.
Under the Motor Vehicle Act, the actor is charged with Sections 34 (a), (b) read with 181 (driving vehicle in contravention of rules) and 185 (driving at great speed after consuming alcohol.
Salman Khan was also charged under those sections of the Bombay Prohibition Act relating to driving under the influence of alcohol which attracts a maximum six months in jail.
Case timeline:
September 28, 2002: Salman’s white-colour Toyata Land Cruiser crashes into American Express Bakery at Hill Road at Bandra killing one person and injuring four others.
Sept 28: Salman’s blood samples taken.
Sept 28: Salman arrested by Bandra police, granted bail. Booked on 1st October.
Oct 2002: Mumbai Police invokes section 304-II of IPC i.e culpable homicide not amounting to murder which attracts punishment of 10 years imprisonment.
Oct 21, 2002: Mumbai police files chargesheet in Bandra magistrate court.
March 2003: Salman challenges the application of section 304-II of IPC in a Mumbai sessions court. Plea rejected by Sessions court
May 2003: Sessions court rejects the plea, asks magistrate court to frame charges.
June 2003: Salman moves Bombay High Court, which rules that section 304-II of IPC is not applicable.
October 2003: Maharashtra government challenges Bombay HC order in Supreme Court.
December 2003: SC rules that the magistrate court may decide whether section 304-II of IPC could be applied.
October 2006: Magistrate frames charges against Salman.
Oct 3, 2007: Police bodyguard Ravindra Patil, who filed the first FIR, dies of TB.
December 23, 2013: Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate V S Patil, after examining 17 witnesses, invokes the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder on the actor and refers the case to the sessions court for trial.
Apr 27, 2014: Fresh trial begins in sessions court, first witness deposes.
July 24, 2014: Charges framed against Salman in fresh trial by sessions court.
July 2014: Files in the case disappear from Bandra police station. Original statements of 63 witnesses reported missing. Court orders inquiry.
September 12, 2014: Files found and produced before court.
March 25, 2015: Prosecution closes evidence after examining 24 witnesses.
March 27: Salman’s driver Ashok Singh examined as defence witness, says he was driving the car and not the actor.
Apr 21: Court says it would give judgement on May 6.
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