2002 hit-and-run case: Prosecution seeks Salman Khan's driving licence

Mumbai: The prosecution in the 2002 hit-and-run case involving Bollywood star Salman Khan on Friday filed an application in the trial court seeking a direction to him to produce his driving licence. Salman’s lawyer opposed the application. [caption id=“attachment_2112417” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Actor Salman Khan.[/caption] Judge DW Deshpande would give ruling on the same on 23 February. The Special Public Prosecutor Pradeep Gharat said Khan possessed no license when his car ran over people sleeping on the pavement in suburban Bandra on 28 September, 2002, killing one person and injuring four. He obtained a driving licence only in 2004, as per the record available with Regional Transport Office, said the prosecution. The actor has denied that he was driving the car at the time. He has also disputed the RTO record. His lawyer, Srikant Shivade, opposed the prosecution’s application today, saying it was not maintainable under the Motor Vehicles Act. Meanwhile, a chemical analyst, who had tested Salman’s blood sample after the accident, today told the court that the forensic laboratory in suburban Kalina was not accredited by National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration. During the cross-examination, he also said he had used a technology of 1959 to perform the tests though newer methods were known. He could not remember why he had not used the newer methods. To another question by advocate Shivade, he said if the quantity of blood sample is less, the chances of error in analysis increase. The witness also said he did not remember details of the testing procedure. “I do not remember the quality, purity and suitability of the chemicals available in the lab at the time,” he said. Nor did he remember what materials were used, he added. The same witness had earlier told the court that there was alcohol in the blood sample and its level was beyond the permissible limit. The prosecution would examine another witness on February 23. More than 20 witnesses have already been examined and the trial has reached the fag end. Salman was not present today as he has been granted exemption from appearance. His sister Alvira was, however, present in the court. PTI