Prosecution ends final arguments in Salman Khan Hit-and-run case

Citing the judgment passed by the Apex court in the Alister Pereira hit-and-run case, the prosecution on Thursday claimed that even actor Salman Khan had the knowledge of the outcome of his actions. The prosecution quoted the judgment when it was concluding the final arguments in the actor's alleged hit-and-run case.

Special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat, on the fifth day of the arguments, claimed that the prosecution can very well quote Pereira's judgment since the circumstances in both the cases were similar. "Khan cannot deny that he had no knowledge that people were sleeping on the pavement; and even then, he rammed his vehicle into them. When he was aware of the topography of the location, Salman was expected to be more cautious while driving his vehicle," said advocate Gharat.

The prosecution while informing the court that it has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt, held that it was successful in proving that it was Salman who had rammed the vehicle into pavement dwellers in 2002. The prosecution claimed that apart from only one witness, no one in their deposition said that they saw four people getting down from the car.

The prosecution further claimed it was the prosecution's case that only three people were present in the car when it allegedly met with the accident. "There is no attempt to bring Kamaal Khan on to the driving seat or even to the front. There has been no challenge to this (by the defence). Deceased Ravindra Patil (police constable who was Salman's bodyguard) was cross-questioned extensively. There was no remote suggestion that he took to the wheels. When these two possibilities are ruled out, then there must be another person who was driving. Who remains?", the prosecution put the question in the court to prove that no one else than the three were present in the car.

The prosecution, to speak about the crux of the evidence which it had brought before the court, said that all charges against the accused stands duly proved beyond reasonable doubts. "The accident took place, vehicle belonging to Salman was involved, the accused was present at the spot, the accused went away without giving help to the injured, the accused didn't have a driving licence, and that he was in a drunken position," said Gharat.

The defence on Friday is about to initiate with its final arguments in the case.