This Article is From Feb 13, 2015

Salman Khan Hit-and-Run: Received Less Blood Sample Than Stated, Says Analyst

Salman Khan Hit-and-Run: Received Less Blood Sample Than Stated, Says Analyst

Salman Khan is being tried for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Mumbai: Chemical Analysis expert Bala Shankar was cross-examined in the 2002 hit-and-run-case involving actor Salman Khan on February 12.

During the cross-examination, Mr Shankar told the court that he received 6 ml of blood for chemical analysis during the time of the incident. However, he contradicted himself by saying that when he measured the same sample it was 4 ml. Mr Shankar could not recollect in which language Mr Khan's name was written on the name tag on the vial.

When questioned by the defence, Mr Shankar told the court that he did not know anything about the new methods of analyzing blood samples and that he was just 16 days away from retirement. The court rebuked him and asked him not to say such things. Mr Khan's lawyer, Shrikant Shivade, will continue to cross-examine him on February 13.

On December 3 last year, Mr Shankar told the court that he found 62 mg of ethyl alcohol in the blood sample of 100 ml he was asked to analyse after the hit-and-run. He had said that 30 mg of ethyl alcohol is the permissible limit while driving - any more found means you are driving drunk - but also said that it can increase to 45 mg because of medical treatment.

The defence also raised an objection on the presence of other forensic officers in the court, saying they could influence the witness. One of the present forensic officers told the court that they were studying the trial so that they could remove lacunae in their processes. The court allowed the officers to stay in the court.

One person was killed and four others were injured when a car, allegedly driven by the actor, rammed into a bakery in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on September 28, 2002.

For years, his lawyers have argued that Mr Khan was not driving the car. The prosecution alleges that he was and had called at least two witnesses in the ongoing trial to prove that the actor was at the wheel.

Mr Khan is being tried for culpable homicide not amounting to murder. If convicted, he could spend upto 10 years in prison.
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