Hit-and-run case: Salman Khan walks free, actor breaks down

Salman Khan was acquitted of all charges in 2002 hit-and-run case. The final hearing of the verdict was heard today at the High Court and the actor is not found guilty of 13 years old hit-and-run case. After hearing all the witness and examining all the evidence, Justice AR Joshi said the 49-year-old actor cannot be convicted because the “prosecution has failed to prove the charges on all counts”. When the judgement came in his favor, the actor could not control his feeling and he burst into tears. 

In May, Session court convicted Salman Khan guilty of 2002 hit-and-run case in which he rammed his land cruiser over a pavement of a bakery, killing one and injury four others sleeping at the pavement. He was pronounced five years jail term but the superstar was released on bail and the verdict was appealed at the High Court.

Justice AR Joshi pointed out “various shortcomings in investigations and the prosecution’s evidence”. Prosecution failed to prove that the actor was drunk and driving the car.

“Doubt arises over involvement of appellant on charges … Investigation was conducted in faulty manner with scant regard to procedure,” he said after seeking Salman’s presence in court at the time of pronouncing the verdict.

On Wednesday, Justice Joshi rejected the evidence of Ravindra Patil, Salman's former police bodyguard and a witness of the incident after stating that Patil's statements were 'wholly unreliable'.

Justice Joshi also questioned Patil's credibility while deciding the verdict in the appeal filed by the actor against the five year jail term awarded to him by a Mumbai sessions court on May 6.

"In view of this, he (Patil) is "wholly unreliable witness", the Judge noted while dictating his order in the court for the third consecutive day on Wednesday.

"Even if his statement has to be considered as partially reliable, there has to be corroboration in evidence which is not existing in this case," the judge added.

Finally, it was a great relief for Salman and his family. The court asked the actor to pay surety of Rs 25,000 within two days and also directed Bandra Police to handover Salman's passport to him.