Hit-and-run case: Complainant Ravindra Patil’s version of the case

Ravindra Patil, a police constable deputed for the protection of actor Salman Khan, was a key prosecution witness in the 2002 hit and run case in which Khan’s SUV ran over pavement dwellers in Bandra in September 2002, killing one and injuring four others.

Ravindra Patil, a police constable deputed for the protection of actor Salman Khan, was a key prosecution witness in the 2002 hit and run case in which Khan’s SUV ran over pavement dwellers in Bandra in September 2002, killing one and injuring four others.

Ravindra Patil, a police constable who was appointed as Salman Khan’s bodyguard, was important in the prosecution’s case. He died in 2007.(HT file photo)

Patil, who died in 2007, was also a complainant in the case. His deposition was recorded before the magistrate court and it was primarily on the basis of his statement the court had ordered to apply the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. However, he died before the charge was applied.

In his deposition, Patil had stated that Salman Khan was at the wheels of the car when he came out of JW Marriott hotel with singer Kamal Khan at 2.15 am. Patil added that he sat near the driver’s seat.

“The accused was drunk and was driving his motor car. He was driving his motor car at the speed of 90 to 100 km/hr. before coming to the junction of hill road, I told the actor to lower the speed of the car as the right turn is coming. The accused neglected my say,” deposed Patil before the magistrate court.

While the prosecution relied heavily on Patil’s deposition and asked the court to consider the deposition recorded before the magistrate as evidence, the defense opposed it. They contended that Patil’s evidence cannot be allowed to consider as they did not have a fair opportunity to cross-examine him after the charge against the actor is altered.

Read | Salman Khan acquitted of all charges in 2002 hit-and-run case