MUMBAI: Bollywood star Salman Khan will appear today in the Mumbai Sessions Court with regards to his infamous 2002 hit-and-run case.
Salman who had gone to the US for a medical checkup for his health issues – aneurysm and trigeminal neuralgia, came back to the city on Sunday.
Ever since the lower court has increased the charges on Salman Khan, to include the serious offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304 part II of IPC, the case is to come up for the first time before the Sessions Court.
Sessions Judge UB Hejib will be adjudging the hearing today. Sources claim that this would be conducted as a fresh trial, hence evidence produced before the Magistrate’s court would not be considered. The prosecution may have to adduce evidence afresh.
March 8, Salman Khan’s counsel Ashok Mundargi had urged the sessions court to hear his appeal against the Magistrate’s order invoking the charge under section 304 part II of IPC. The trial before the Magistrate had been proceeding on the lesser charge of causing death by negligence (section 304 A of Indian Penal Code), which attracts maximum punishment of two years in jail. However, after examining 17 witnesses, the Magistrate had concluded that the charge of ‘culpable homicide not amounting to murder’ was apparent. Under the new charge, jail term can be up to 10 years.
On September 28, 2002, Salman Khan alleged rammed his Toyota Land Cruiser outside a bakery in suburban Bandra, killing one and injuring four people sleeping on the pavement.