The Bombay High Court, while dictating the verdict for the second day on appeal filed by actor Salman Khan against his conviction in the 2002 hit-and-run case, yesterday found anomalies in the evidence presented in the case.
The Bombay High Court, while dictating the verdict for the second day on appeal filed by actor Salman Khan against his conviction in the 2002 hit-and-run case, yesterday found anomalies in the evidence presented in the case.
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While dictating the verdict in an open court, Justice A R Joshi observed that the RTO inspector’s statement was not matching with his cross-examination. The time he examined Khan’s vehicle differed.
Another set of anomalies were observed with the blood samples. The constable who took the samples from J J Hospital to Bandra police station was never examined and the samples were kept in the police station for two days as the Forensic Laboratory was closed.
Court observed that instead of taking the samples to an emergency laboratory or taking Khan to Bhabha Hospital in the first place, the police kept the samples at the investigating officers’ room in refrigeration.
Later, the laboratory officer gave wrong formula of Sodium Chloride (NA2SO4), which is of Sodium Sulphate. The quantity of blood came under scrutiny when the judge observed that around 6 ml was drawn but only 4 ml reached the Chemical Analyzer.
Also, there is no mention of Salman being drunk in the FIR and in the statement of his bodyguard. Dr Shashikant Pawar from J J Hospital said he smelled of alcohol and his pupils were dilated.
The waiters in Vile Parle’s Rain Bar said the actor was drinking a clear liquid. While Shinde said it was white rum, defence had argued saying that there was no direct evidence that Salman drank.
The cops neither examined the security guard at J W Marriott nor produced the valet tag or interrogated Yogesh, who had parked Khan’s car.