Salman charged with culpable homicide in hit-and-run case

A Sessions Court in Mumbai on Wednesday framed fresh charges against actor Salman Khan in a 2002 hit-and-run case

A Sessions Court in Mumbai on Wednesday framed fresh charges against actor Salman Khan in a 2002 hit-and-run case. Khan faces trial under the enhanced charge of Section 304 (II) of the Indian Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder,as against Section 304-A for causing death by negligence,for which he was initially booked. The actor,however,pleaded not guilty.

If found guilty,Khan faces a maximum sentence of 10 years. He was earlier booked under the more lenient charge of causing death by negligence,the maximum imprisonment for which would have been three years.

On September 28,2002,Khans Toyota Land Cruiser had rammed into a bakery in suburban Bandra killing one and injuring four others who were sleeping on a pavement.

Noorulla Mahboob Sharif died in the mishap while Abdul Rauf Shaikh,Kalim Mohammed Pathan and Munna Malai Khan were injured.

Sessions judge U B Hejib read out all the sections to Khan,who subsequently pleaded not guilty. The case was adjourned till August 19.

Khan,however,will not be required to be present during the hearing,as he was granted an exemption from appearance following an application filed by his lawyer,Shrikant Shivade.

On Wednesday,Khan reached the court a little before 11 am,and was accompanied by his sisters Alvira and Arpita. Around 12.15 pm,Khan was called to the witness box.

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Khan has also been charged under the IPC sections 279 (rash driving),337 (causing minor injuries),338 (causing major injuries) and 427 (negligence). He faces additional charges under the Motor Vehicles Act for not possessing appropriate licence at the time of the crime.