Salman smelled of alcohol when brought for test, witness-doctor tells court

A witness in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving actor Salman Khan on Thursday informed the sessions court that when Khan was brought to him at JJ hospital, he smelled of alcohol. The doctor, however, added that on clinical examination, pending the chemical analysis report, Khan did not look to be inebriated.

The witness, Dr Suhas Pawar, was posted as medical officer at JJ hospital in 2002. While deposing before sessions judge DW Deshpande, Pawar said, "A policeman had come with Khan to the casualty department for carrying out an alcohol test. I had clinically examined Khan, and with his consent, collected a blood sample for further analysis."

Special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharart asked Pawar about the standard procedure doctors followed when medico-legal cases, like the one involving Khan, were presented to them. The witness explained that a case paper is prepared and an entry are made in the Emergency Police Register (EPR).

Pawar said in the EPR he mentioned that Khan's breath smelled of alcohol but his gait was proper and speech coherent. Counsel Shrikant Shivade, appearing for Khan, pointed out several contradictions in Pawar's testimony. He pointed out that it was the doctor's duty to take Khan's signature and thumb impression on the casualty paper, which, Shivade added, was not done. He also pointed out discrepancies in recording details in the EPR and the casualty papers. The cross-examination of the witness will continue on January 27.