Bollywood Superstar Walks Free From 2002 Hit-And-Run Case

By M. Santhiran NEW DELHI, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The Mumbai High Court has set aside a five-year jail term imposed in May by a lower court on top Bollywood actor Salman Khan in connection with a hit-and-run case, about 13 years ago. Local news channel NDTV reported the 50-year-old actor broke down in tears when judgement was pronounced about 2pm local time Thursday. The judge, A. R. Joshi took almost two days to deliver judgement, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against the actor. The judge ruled there was insufficient evidence against Salman to conclusively prove he was under the influence of alcohol and that reckless driving caused his four-wheeler to plough into a group of people. During the wee hours of Sept 28, 2008, Salman's land cruiser rammed into a laundry and bakery, killing a labourer and injuring four others. The case received wide coverage when Salman's driver, Asok Singh came forward as defence witness and confessed he was the driver during the crash. --BERNAMA