Salman’s driver Ashok’s wife: He never told us all these years that he was driving the car

The prosecution has questioned Salman Khan’s claims that it was the actor’s driver who was driving the car.

In the previous hearing, Salman had denied being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident and had also reportedly shrugged off the claims that he was driving the car. Earlier last week, Salman’s driver, Ashok Singh had stated that he was driving the car at the time of the incident. He also added that he lost control of the car because the tyre of the white Toyota Land Cruiser burst.

The prosecution has rejected Salman Khan’s driver Ashok Singh’s statement and asked why Singh was silent for last twelve years and hadn’t testified earlier. Apparently, the prosecution has alleged that Khan did not have driving licence and was under the influence of liquor at the time of the accident, both of which are claims that the actor has vehemently denied while recording his statement, last week. while making the final arguments in the case, special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat said, “It appears that he is a ‘brought up’ witness and as such his evidence cannot be accepted.”

Gharat also questioned Salman’s reluctance to be examined. He said, “If he (Khan) had chosen to examine himself he would have been exposed in cross-examination.”

The prosecution also assailed the defence theory that the mishap had occurred due to a mechanical fault in Khan’s Land Cruiser Lexus and also because of tyre burst. “That is not possible because the car is a high-end sport utility vehicle and has a display panel indicator which gives alerts if any defects crop up. The car is a fully automatic power-loaded one which will not take it away from the road in case of mechanical failure,” said the prosecutor.

READ: When celebs ran into legal trouble

The actor is facing charges of IPC Sec. 304(II) – which attracts a 10-year jail sentence, Sec. 279, Sec. 337, Sec. 338, Sec. 427, and under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 for the incident that took place on September 28, 2002.IPC Sec. 304(II) – which attracts a 10-year jail sentence, Sec. 279, Sec. 337, Sec. 338, Sec. 427, and under Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Bombay Prohibition Act, 1949 for the incident that took place on September 28, 2002.

ALSO READ: Salman Khan was not drunk, witness tells court

While the actor has reportedly denied all responsibility for the incident, it remains to be seen if the verdict will be in favour of the actor or against him. Watch this space for updates.

TOI  | Apr 6, 2015

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