Actor Salman Khan was today directed by a Mumbai sessions court to appear before it on July 24 for framing of charges, setting the stage for start of a fresh trial for culpable homicide in the 2002 hit-and-run case for which he can face a jail term upto 10 years.
Sessions judge U B Hejib had on June 24 upheld a metropolitan court's order that the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was made out against the 47-year-old Bollywood superstar, dismissed his appeal against the verdict, and asked him to appear before the court today.
Salman Khan in the court
The actor had earlier been tried by a metropolitan magistrate for a lesser offence of causing death by negligence (Section 304 A of IPC), which provides for a maximum sentence of two years. He will now stand trial under a law pertaining to culpable homicide that could attract a jail term upto 10 years.
Attired in a blue shirt and pair of jeans, the actor appeared before the sessions judge who asked him to sit in the dock. Salman sat alone on a bench, while his sister Arpita stood beside him outside the dock. His other sister, Alvira, was also present in the court room along with his personal bodyguard.
The trial in the sessions court would start afresh as the Bandra metropolitan court had halted the proceedings midway after examining 17 witnesses, ruling that the more serious charge of culpable homicide was made out against the actor. An offence under the charge of culpable homicide is triable by a sessions court.
Salman was occasionally seen dozing off as Arpita prodded him to keep him awake.
Outside the court there was a commotion as litigants and advocates were prevented by police from entering the room.
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