Entertainment
Most of the Twitterati not happy with the verdict
Updated : Dec 10, 2015, 06:44 PM IST
In a huge relief for Salman Khan, the Bombay High Court on Thursday acquitted him in the 2002 hit-and-run case, ruling the prosecution had failed to prove "beyond reasonable doubt" that actor was driving the vehicle at the time of the accident and was drunk.The judgement came on an appeal by the superstar, seven months after he was pronounced guilty by the trial court of running over five people sleeping on a pavement outside a laundry in suburban Bandra with his Toyota Land Cruiser, killing one and causing injury to four others on October 28, 2002 and sentenced him to five years in jail.
"The appeal is allowed. The trial court's verdict is quashed and set aside...Salman is acquitted of all the charges," Justice A R Joshi said, reading out the judgement. "....this court has come to the conclusion that the prosecution has failed to bring material on record to establish beyond reasonable doubt that the appellant (Salman was driving and was under the influence of alcohol, also, whether the accident occurred due to bursting (of tyre) prior to the incident or tyre burst after the incident...," the judge said.
After the verdict was pronounced in a jam-packed courtroom, the 49-year-old actor, overcome with emotions, broke down in full public view before being asked by his long-time bodyguard Shera to turn his face toward the wall so people do not see his tears. A visibly relieved Salman was later seen humming a song as sister Alvira flashed a 'Thumbs up' sign. Understandably, the crowd on Twitter weren't particularly thrilled about the judgement except for Salman Khan fans and members of the Bollywood fraternity.
So happy that @BeingSalmanKhan is acquitted of all charges. Truth Prevails. Even if it takes 13 long years.:)
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) December 10, 2015
Maybe, they weren't willing to risk another 'March of Tolerance'.
Declaring Eid today because Salman khan had a blockbuster release.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) December 10, 2015
Google to name its driverless car Salman.
— Manu Joseph (@manujosephsan) December 10, 2015
It's an excellent suggestion.
Spelling bee: Jury: Your word is Salman Khan. Me: Can I use it in a sentence? Jury: Sorry, there will be no sentence.
— Anurag Verma (@kitAnurag) December 10, 2015
"Your honor, why did u let Salman go?" Judge: Tired of hearing people say intolerance is rising [Bhakts in the crowd high five one another]
— Sanjay (@oothikicha) December 10, 2015
Don't see the other two Khans being too happy about this.
.@BeingSalmanKhan Lekin picture abhi baaki hai deer :)
— Rofl Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) December 10, 2015
Next logical step in #SalmanVerdict: Judge declares that it was Shahrukh and not Salman who was driving.
— Roflindian 2.0 (@Roflindian) December 10, 2015
Bhai going past Indian judicial system. #SalmanVerdict pic.twitter.com/7GsmYZdV0t
— Baatmaan (@VanDiablo) December 10, 2015
This gave us a kick.
Salman still in court to complete formalities & HC staff & lawyers behaving totally star struck.
— Neetakolhatkar (@neetakolhatkar) December 10, 2015
This doesn't bode very well for the prosecution.
Har case mein problem hoti hai...khush naseeb woh hote hai jinke jugaad lawyer hote hain... pic.twitter.com/mkjyuFCAdi
— $ir^$ri^$ri Magal (@jhunjhunwala) December 10, 2015
What app to uninstall to protest against Salman Khan?
— dorku (@Dorkstar) December 10, 2015
Maybe stop watching Bigg Boss?
2013: "Salman is guilty" 2015: #SalmanVerdict "Prosecution failed to prove he was drunk" 2017: "Aamir Khan was driving the car maaro usse"
— Akshar (@AksharPathak) December 10, 2015
Haha. Poor Aamir.