Salman Khan says that he was neither driving the vehicle nor drunk while giving his version in the 2002 hit and run case.
Bollywood actor Salman Khan who recorded his statement in the 2002 hit and run case denied that he was not driving the car when the accident occurred. The actor stated that he was not drunk at the time of the accident and only had consumed a glass of water at bar. In his statement, Salman told court that his driver Ashok Singh was driving the car. The actor has been charged with killing one person and injuring four by ramming his car into a shop thirteen years ago. The hearing in this case has been postponed several times earlier as Salman had failed to appear before the Sessions Court.
“My driver, Ashok Singh, was driving the car when the mishap occurred,” Khan, attired in a white shirt and blue denim jeans, said in reply to a question posed by Judge D W Deshpande.
The actor denied having taken drinks at a bar where he had gone with his friends and brother Sohail Khan just before the mishap occurred.
“I was having a glass of water at the bar,” he said in reply to a question.
Khan was summoned to make a statement under section 313 of Cr.Pc on the evidence adduced against him in the court during the trial. He was asked 418 questions by the Judge.
While responding to a question, he said, “I didn’t know that a permit is required to drink (liquor).”
According to prosecution, Salman was driving the car and he was under the influence of liquor at the relevant time, a charge he denied. Salman told the court that the RTO submitted a false report that he did not have a licence in 2002.
On a question on filing of an FIR against him, Mr. Khan said Ravindra Patil, the constable who filed the FIR against him was sleeping in car at the time of the mishap.
“I do not want to examine myself but would like to examine defence witnesses”, said the actor when the court asked him what he had to say about the case against him.
Salman said that Bala Shankar, who had tested Khan’s blood sample was not an expert. He was responding to deposition of this witness who had told the court earlier that 62mg alcohol was found in Khan’s blood sample, which was above the permissible limit, indicating that the actor had taken drinks before the mishap.
Khan further told the Judge that the chemical analysis expert, while testing his blood sample, had allegedly not followed the procedures prescribed for examination.
Salman Khan’s lawyer had urged the Mumbai Sessions Court to send newspersons out of the courtroom. However, Judge D W Deshpande rejected the plea, warning media not to give opinions and only report what happens in court. “Please follow the court directives and do not flash news when the accused gives a statement in the court. You may report his statement after it concludes by evening,” said the Judge.
