Sambha Gouda, the police witness, continued with his deposition on the second day in the Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s hit-and-run case of September 2002.
Mr. Gouda is the first witness to depose in the >re-trial of the case that began last week at a Mumbai sessions court. A piece of the shutter of the American bakery, mud guard of the actor’s car that came off during the accident and glass shards that were presented by the prosecution in the court on Friday were identified by Mr. Gouda.
Mr. Gouda, a tea vendor by profession told the court that he lives on the footpath which is five minutes away from the accident spot. On September 28, 2002 night, at 3 a.m., three constables came to inquire him. He then reached the spot in an auto and saw a huge crowd gathered there. He told the court that he had never visited the crime spot before the accident and that the spot was at Hill Road in Bandra. The defence however claimed that Mr. Gouda never visited the spot.
In September 2002, one person was killed and four injured after the actor’s SUV allegedly jumped over a footpath where the victims were sleeping. Mr. Khan was earlier booked for rash and negligent driving. But later, the court observed that he could be charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
He then moved an application for fresh examination of witnesses on the grounds that the witnesses were previously examined for lesser charges against him. His application was granted by the court and a re-trial was ordered.
The matter was adjourned to 6th May and the actor is likely to be present in the court as the witnesses need to identify the actor. During the identification parade in the court, the accused is required to be present
