2002 hit-and-run: ‘Statement of Salman’s driver not put on record’

The defence lawyer said the statement of Khan’s driver Ashok Singh was recorded two days after the accident on October 1

Although Salman Khan’s driver was interrogated, his statement was not put on record by the prosecution, the actor’s lawyer told the Bombay high court (HC) on Wednesday.

In September 2002, actor Salman Khan’s Toyota Land Cruiser crashed into a bakery in Bandra, killing one and injuring four others who were sleeping on a pavement. (File photo)

Senior counsel Amit Desai has been arguing before justice AR Joshi against the five-year conviction granted to the actor by the sessions court. The defence lawyer said the statement of Khan’s driver Ashok Singh was recorded two days after the accident on October 1. Singh, in his statement, said he went to the Bandra police station on the day of the accident and his statement was recorded later, but the investigating officer refuted it.

Desai said the fact the investigating officer felt the need to interrogate him shows its importance, but why had the investigating agency kept it out? Desai pointed out Singh’s presence at the time of the accident and at the police station was of importance. He asked why would Singh visit the police station, if the investigating officer hadn’t called him.

Reading out the first question asked to Khan’s bodyguard Ravindra Patil, “What do you remember after filing the complaint?” Patil had replied, “Ashok Singh is a driver with Salman Khan.” When the court asked, why did Patil take Ashok’s name? Desai said it was his “guilty conscience.”