Court rejects plea to re-examine transport officer

During a hearing of the 2002 hit-and-run case against actor Salman Khan on Thursday, the Sessions court rejected the prosecution's plea to re-examine a transport expert. The court said it found no need for re-examination.

Special Public Prosecutor Pradeep Gharat had filed an application for re-examination of a transport officer who had inspected Salman Khan's vehicle after the accident. Mr. Gharat had claimed that certain replies given by the officer were vague in nature, and they required clarification.

He cited the Supreme Court's guidelines for re-examination, saying thay if a witness gives illogical or unfair answers, they should be given an opportunity to clarify on such things. But Salman Khan opposed the plea.

His lawyer Shrikant Shivade said the officer wasn't qualified to inspect the vehicle as he had not received adequate training.

"The accident report form doesnt show qualifications of this witness. He had given evidence in the previous court. He had stated then that one day's training was given on Indica car and that no training was imparted for imported cars. So the prosecution knew about this and deliberately chose not to ask him about his qualifications," Mr. Shivade said.

The court thereafter reserved its judgment till 3 pm, and then rejected the prosecution's plea.

The court will now hear the matter on January 19, when a doctor from J J Hospital who took Mr. Khan's blood samples, will depose before the court. A police constable who took Salman Khan from Bandra police station to J J Hospital, will also give his statement on that day.