Examination of actor Salman Khan's blood sample taken after the 2002 hit-and-run case, showed alcohol content, an expert told the Sessions Court on Wednesday. A chemical analyst, who worked with the Forensic Science Laboratory, said 62 mg alcohol was found in 100 ml blood of the actor.
Mr. Khan was present in the court throughout the day-long hearing. He was accompanied by his two sisters.
The permissible alcohol content in blood is 30 mg/100 ml, according to the country's Motor Vehicle Act.
"In general medical examination, 30 mg alcohol might be found in the blood of a human being. If a person is under medication, the alcohol content can go up to 40-45 mg," the expert said.
"The morphiline test I conducted (on his blood sample) was positive," the chemical analyst said. He added that the blood bottles which were delivered to the laboratory were in proper, sealed condition. "Along with the blood bottle, I received a letter from JJ Hospital where the blood sample was taken," he said.
The chemical analyst was the 19th witness to depose before the court, but Salman's lawyer Shrikant Shivade refused to cross-examine him on the ground of prejudice.
Doctor not traceable
The doctor who collected Mr. Khan's blood sample in JJ Hospital was not traceable, advocate Shivade pointed to the court. He argued that only the untraceable doctor can testify about the number of blood bottles which were sent for examination.
Pointing out the discrepancy in the reports about the number of blood bottles collected, he said that it was only the doctor who was in a position to say in how many bottles the blood was collected.
"If Bandra police packed one bottle, how did the chemical analyst have two bottles? Not knowing this will cause prejudice to us," Mr. Shivade said, seeking allowing the chemical analyst's cross examination after the doctor's cross-examination. The court allowed the application.
'No training on imported vehicles'
The 20th witness to be examined during the trial was a motor vehicle inspector who was then posted at Andheri Regional Transport Office. He had inspected the Toyota Land Cruiser which was allegedly involved in the accident.
During his cross-examination, Mr. Khan's lawyer asked him if he was imparted any training on imported vehicles, to which he replied in negative.
He said that when he inspected the vehicle on the morning of September 29, 2002, he found many external damages to it.
"The running board on the left hand side was damaged. Also, the bumper was found missing. The left side headlight and side-light were found broken. The hooks which hold the bumper were also found damaged. There were scratches on the right windshield glass. The right side mirror was broken. There was damage to the vehicle beneath as well," he said.
He also said there was less air in the front left tyre. "The air level in a tyre can come down if there is an impact or a minor puncture," he said while responding to prosecution's query.
The court will now hear the matter on December 15 when the motor vehicle inspector's cross-examination will conclude. Some other witnesses too are likely to be examined on that day. Mr. Khan has been granted exemption on December 15.
