Salman Khan hit-and-run: Prove you are legal heirs for compensation, Bombay high court tells victim's 'kin'

The Bombay high court on Friday refused to release Rs 10 lakh compensation to two people claiming to be the legal heirs of Nurullah Mehboob Sharif, who was allegedly run over by actor Salman Khan in 2002, till they produced an order proving the same from a competent court.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice A S Chandurkar rejected the applications made by the two, who have claimed they are Sharif's son and brother. "This court cannot decide who is a legal representative. There appears to be a dispute between the heirs. Therefore, we cannot allow the said person to withdraw the amount. They will have to produce order of a competent court holding that they are the legal representatives," said the bench, directing the concerned court to expeditiously hear the appeal if at all filed by the representatives.

Early on September 28, 2002, Khan had allegedly rammed his Land Cruiser into a bakery on Hill Road, Bandra, running over people sleeping on the footpath. One person was killed and four were injured. At present, a sessions court is hearing the case against Khan.

As per an order passed in 2002 by the Bombay high court, Khan had been told to deposit Rs 19 lakh, of which Rs 10 lakh was to be given to the legal heirs of Sharif. The injured have already withdrawn the amount.

The high court also directed the union government to consider the suggestion of the Law Commission recommending amendments in section 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) of the Indian Penal Code. The directions were given during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed soon after the drunk driving case involving Khan.