Twitter
Advertisement

Hit and run case: Why did Salman Khan's driver keep quiet for almost 12 years?

The actor was arrested in September 2002 for his alleged involvement in killing one and injuring three others after he allegedly rammed his vehicle on sleeping pavement dwellers.

Latest News
article-main
Actor Salman Khan arrives for the hearing at the sessions court on Monday
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

While continuing with its final arguments in the alleged hit-and-run case against actor Salman Khan, the prosecution on Monday claimed that Ashok Singh, the driver of the actor who deposed as a defence witness, was lying on oath, just to save his employer. The prosecution also claimed that in such a situation, he Singh himself has made him liable for perjury.

While arguing before the court presided over by judge DW Deshpande, special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat questioned how did Singh keep quiet for a period of almost 12 years when his boss was facing trouble. "Singh claimed that the reason why he approached the court at the fag end of the case as a defence witness and took the responsibility of the accident was because Salim Khan (Salman's father) had asked him to reveal the truth.

However, my question is that why did Salim Khan not do the same for for so many years? Also, it is quite surprising to know that even after the family members came across the fact that their driver had committed the crime and that Salman had to face the consequences, Singh was still serving as a driver for the family," said Gharat.

Gharat further argued that Singh had claimed that after the alleged incident took place, it was he and the deceased bodyguard of Salman, Ravindra Patil, who were subjected to the push and pull by the locals as well as the taxi drivers, who had rushed to the spot after the accident. However, as per the prosecution witness, Fransis Fernandes, who was known to Salman from the actor's childhood days, had deposed that after he heard the loud noise, he and his wife came out and they rescued Salman from the mob, who would have allegedly gone violent on the actor.

Gharat, through his arguments, made a point before the court that if the driver's version is considered to be true, then how is it possible that after committing the crime he did not check as to how many people were trapped under the vehicle. "The statement of Singh, that he was unaware of the total number of people trapped beneath the car, itself proves that he was not present at the spot and that he is a self-condemned liar," argued Gharat.

Gharat also argued on the fact that he has produced enough evidence on record which shows that when Salman had left from the porche of the valet parking of the JW Marriot hotel, he had given a tip of Rs500 to the parking manager and at that time Salman was on the driving seat and Singh was not present in the parking area.

The prosecution is to continue with its final arguments in the case on Tuesday.

The actor was arrested in September 2002 for his alleged involvement in killing one and injuring three others after he allegedly rammed his vehicle on sleeping pavement dwellers.

Final arguments so far

The prosecution on April 1 initiated with the final arguments in the case and questioned defence witness Ashok Singh, the driver of Salman Khan, why he waited for almost 12 years to reveal the truth that he was the one who was driving the vehicle and that the accident was an 'Act of God' since it was caused due to a technical fault in the car.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement