Actor Salman Khan was smelling of alcohol, but wasn't under its influence, a doctor told the sessions court here on Thursday. But he said his observations were subject to chemical analysis report. The doctor had collected Salman Khan's blood samples over 10 hours after the 2002 hit-and-run case, in which the actor is the accused.
But the defence claimed that the word 'alcohol' in the medical case paper of the hospital was fabricated. The doctor deposing before the court immediately refuted the allegation. He said he had himself carried the original register to the lower court during previous hearings.
Advocate Shrikant Shivade, appearing for Salman Khan, claimed that the medical register was missing for years, and it resurfaced only later. The doctor also said that during the examination, Salman's speech was coherent and his gait was normal.
He was the medical officer at J J Hospital here till 2008. In 2002, he was the doctor on duty in the accident section of casualty ward when Salman was brought in by the Bandra police between 2 pm and 6 pm.
"I took the patient history but he denied he had consumed alcohol. After that I did my examination for blood test. Pupils were slightly dilated, gait was normal, speech was coherent," the doctor said.
The defence claimed during the cross examination later that there could be various other reasons for dialted pupils, including incomplete sleep.
Mr Shivade also pointed out that Salman's consent was not taken before collecting his blood sample. The doctor said he had sought Salman's verbal consent.
He said that he had thereafter collected blood in two containers as per the standard procedure. He said that one of the containers had preservative, while the other was empty in which plain blood was collected.
The doctor also identified the casualty form which he had filled.
The court will now hear the matter next on January 27.
