The Bombay high court on Thursday acquitted Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, who was convicted and sentenced for five years in the 2002 hit-and-run case by a sessions court on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the actor was at the wheel and under the influence of alcohol when the accident took place. Khan, accompanied by sister Alvira, maintained a stoic look as the verdict was pronounced, but broke down after leaving the courtroom and tweeted his gratitude and relief at being acquitted. The Maharashtra government has said it will consider whether to appeal against this verdict in the Supreme Court.
While pronouncing the verdict over two days, Justice A.R. Joshi said: “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 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...” As Justice Joshi asked for Salman to be in court when the final verdict was pronounced, Salman reached the court at 1.30 pm with his sister Alvira and bodyguard Shera.
Justice Joshi wasted no time in pronouncing the final verdict, and no sooner had he said that the appellant was acquitted of all charges, a murmur of appreciation spread in the courtroom. While Khan had a stoic look, his sister Alvira could not restrain her glee at hearing the words “acquitted of all charges”.
Though he was acquitted of all charges, Salman was unable to leave the court till 5.15 pm as he had to execute the bail bond. Asked about the acquittal being challenged in the Supreme Court, Salman’s counsel Amit Desai said it was the prerogative of the prosecution and they were prepared for it. Asked about this, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said the government would decide on whether to appeal against the judgment after going through the court’s order. “We will examine the (high) court order and decide (our) further course of action,” he said.
