M A I N   N E W S

Salman charged on 10 counts

Mumbai, October 6
A year after film actor Salman Khan rammed his vehicle into a suburban bakery, killing one person and injuring four, a local court today framed 10 charges against him even as the actor pleaded not guilty.

The charges were framed by Magistrate S Y Sishode who had summoned the actor to appear before him today. The proposed charges were read out to the actor by the prosecutor, Mr R.S. Khandekar.

Deposing before the court, the actor pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was represented by his lawyer Dipesh Mehta.

Earlier, the high court had dropped the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against Salman and directed the Magistrate to frame other charges.

Salman is charged with IPC Sections 304-A (causing death by negligence), 279 (rash driving), 337 (causing hurt), 338 (causing grievous injury) and 427 (causing damage by mischief).

He is also charged with Sections 130 (1), 134 (a and b), 177 and 181 (3) of the Motor Vehicles Act.

Besides, the actor is charged with Section 66 (1b) of the Bombay Prohibition Act, which prohibits driving after consuming liquor.

Salman was arrested on September 28 last year after he ran over his vehicle on persons sleeping outside a bakery in suburban Bandra. One person was killed and four others were injured. He was later released on bail.

Salman is facing the trial for offence of rash and negligent driving and other offences which attract maximum two years’ jail term.

The actor heaved a sigh of relief after the high court dropped the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder which attracts maximum punishment of 10 years in jail and is triable exclusively by a sessions court.

Salman will now face the trial in a Magistrate’s court for rash and negligent driving and other offences contravening the Motor Vehicles Act which provide for maximum two years’ jail. — PTI