The Public Prosecutor in Salman Khan hit-and-run case on Monday urged Sessions court in Mumbai to wrap up the 12-year-old case at the earliest.
Khan is accused of running his car over people sleeping on the pavement near a bakery in the suburb of Bandra in Mumbai on September 28, 2002. One person was killed and four others were injured.
Salman Khan has pleaded not guilty.
Public Prosecutor Pradeep Gharat, said the case should come to an end soon as only a few witnesses are left to be examined.
“I have requested the court to wrap up this case at the earliest because now only three to four eye witnesses are left to be examined,” said Gharat.
The last hearing of the case, held on November 5, was adjourned by the court as Khan did not attend the court hearing citing the wedding of his sister. Khan’s lawyer had told the court the actor would attend the next hearing.
However, Salman Khan did not make it to this hearing as well because he was away shooting for a film.
Meanwhile, Petitioner and Advocate Abha Singh, said the court had set the next hearing for December 3 and ordered Khan to be present for it.
“Justice D.W. Pandey, who is presiding over this trial, expressed his worries that why the case has been delayed for such a long time, 10 years in 9th court, Bandra and third year in Sessions court, Mumbai. He has very categorically said that the case has to be finalised before December and he would pass his judgement in December because there should be no further delay in this case from either side. That is the reason he has fixed the next date as 3rd December, when Salman has to be present for cross examination because the chemical analysts and other important witnesses will be examined on 3rd December,” said Singh.
Singh further reiterated her demand for a thorough investigation in the alleged involvement of police officials in giving false summons to doctors who further gave false evidence in the case that has led to massive delay in justice.
Salman Khan is accused of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the hit-and-run case, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Salman Khan was booked under Section 304 A of the Indian Penal Code (rash and negligent driving), 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing minor injuries), 338 (causing major injuries) and 427 (negligence) in regard to the 2002 case. (ANI)