This Article is From Oct 09, 2014

Salman Khan Hit-and-Run Case: Witness Says Actor Was in Driver's Seat

Salman Khan Hit-and-Run Case: Witness Says Actor Was in Driver's Seat

Salman's trial has now been adjourned till November 5.

Mumbai:

A witness told a Mumbai court today that he identified actor Salman Khan as the person in the driver's seat of an SUV involved in a hit-and-run case in 2002.

For about a decade, the actor's lawyers have argued that he was not at the wheel of the car. Today, a parking attendant from the JW Marriott Hotel told the court that he had seen the actor at the wheel. He claimed that the actor had given him a Rs 500 tip. (Also Read: Missing Witness Statements Delay Salman Khan Case Hearing)

When cross-examined, the witness also said that singer Kamal Khan had been in the car and sitting in the backseat on the left, behind Salman Khan. In May, another witness claimed he had seen Mr Khan exiting the Toyota Land Cruiser from the right side.(Also Read: Not Sure if Salman Khan Was Driving the Car, Says Witness)

A second witness who testified today said he saw people shouting and asking the actor to get out of the car after it crashed.

The trial has now been adjourned till November 5.

The trial has faced a series of delays and roadblocks. In August, Mumbai police admitted that key documents in the case were missing. They were later found lying in the police station after police chief Rakesh Maria ordered an inquiry. Today's hearing was deferred from September 24, after the court was told Mr Khan's lawyer was unwell.

One person was killed and four others were injured when a car allegedly driven by the Kick actor, now 48, rammed into a bakery on September 28, 2002.

The trial in the case is being conducted afresh by the sessions court after charges against Mr Khan were revised to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The actor could be jailed for upto 10 years if convicted. He previously faced the lesser charge of rash and negligent driving. A fresh trial was ordered last December.

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