Maha challenges Salman’s acquittal

New Delhi, January 22

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The Maharashtra Government today moved the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Court verdict acquitting Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in the 2002 hit- and-run case in which one person was killed and four others were injured.

The special leave petition (SLP) contained 47 grounds to assail the high court's verdict and sought restoration of the trial court's decision by which the 50-year-old actor was convicted and sentenced to five-year-jail term.

The petition filed through state's standing counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar said that among the errors committed by the high court was non-consideration of evidence of complainant Ravindra Patil, former police bodyguard of Salman, in its "proper perspective".

Sandeep Shinde, the chief public prosecutor who has been associated with the case, said in the SLP, it has been stated that the high court has erred in not appreciating the prosecution evidence. "The trial court's order convicting Salman Khan was correct and should be upheld," he said.

Referring to the grounds, the petition said, "There is no variance in the version of the complainant in the FIR, supplementary statement and the deposition. Ravindra Patil reiterated the contents of the FIR to the effect that it was the respondent (Salman) who drove the car in drunk condition in rash and negligent manner.  —PTI