2002 hit-and-run case: Salman Khan may appear in court tomorrow

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Salman Khan is likely to appear before a magistrate's court tomorrow in connection with a hearing on an application accusing him of delaying the trial in the 2002 hit-and-run case.

Salman's Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle had rammed into a bakery in suburban Bandra killing one and injuring four persons who were sleeping on a pavement on September 28, 2002.

On December 3, former bureaucrat-turned-lawyer Aabha Singh had moved an application before the court alleging the actor was delaying the trial, after which the court issued summons to Salman.

"We have received summons. I would appear in the court", said Salman's lawyer Dipesh Mehta.

Salman later told reporters that he would be attending the hearing tomorrow.

The actor, who was booked on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder after the mishap, has maintained that it was merely an accident and he did not have any intention to kill anyone.

The Bombay High Court had held that Section 304 part II of the Indian Penal Code (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) was not applicable in this case and the actor be tried under 304 A of IPC (rash and negligent driving) and other relevant sections.

The Metropolitan Magistrate's court in Bandra had framed charges against Salman under sections 304 A of IPC (rash and negligent driving), 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing minor injuries), 338 (causing major injuries) and 427 (negligence).

However, earlier this year, police had sought that Salman be tried for more serious charge of 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder'. Their application is still pending.

The trial in the case started in 2005 and the prosecution has already examined eleven witnesses. Two witnesses, including Salman's police guard Ravindra Patil and Ramasray Pandey who had witnessed the accident, turned hostile.