Mumbai: Additional sessions judge D.W. Deshpande passed his verdict in a jampacked courtroom filled with lawyers, the media and some ordinary citizens who managed to gain entry. There were around 250 people in the small courtroom.
Dressed in a white shirt and sky-blue jeans, with a stubble, the actor entered the witness box and was told by the judge that after going through all the evidence put forth by the prosecution, evidence given by defence witnesses and submissions by the defence, “I have come to the conclusion that you were driving the car and you were responsible for the accident. The judge then added, It is not probable that you were not driving the car.”
The judge said, “I considered the cross-examination done by your advocate about the fermentation of blood and other things, and it is also proved that you were drunk and did not possess a valid driving licence at the time of the accident. All charges against you have been proved.” He explained to Salman he also did not believe that the man died because the car fell on him when it was being lifted and an accident happened due to a tyre burst.
The judge took around an hour’s break to consider the arguments put forward by the prosecution and defence on the quantum of punishment, and later sentenced him to jail for five years.
Interestingly, the actor filed an appeal against the order soon after the sessions court held him guilty, and his bail was sought on the ground of urgency. Salman Khan’s lawyers told the court the urgency in the matter arose out of the fact that the appellant, who was throughout on bail, was likely to be taken in custody on conviction.
