SC admits Maha appeal against Salman acquittal

The Supreme Court on Tuesday admitted the Maharashtra government's appeal challenging actor Salman Khan's acquittal in the 2002 hit-and-run case but refused to fast-track hearing of the case. Turning down the state government's plea for an early hearing, a bench of Justices J S Khehar and Arun Mishra said the case could not be given priority just because a high-profile personality was involved.

Attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state, contended that the case was 15 years old and urged the bench for early listing, preferably within six months. The bench, however, turned down the request. The appeal is unlikely to be heard in the next three years. The court will also hear an appeal filed by family members of the man who was killed in the accident, seeking compensation for their loss. "There are many important cases pending in the court and we cannot put this case on fast-track just because some personality is involved in the case," it said. The petition, filed by Shaikh Noorulla Shafik's widow and son, said the trial court and the high court ignored the provision of Sections 357 and 357A of the CrPC which provided for compensation to victims of crime. Salman was charged with killing one person and injuring four by ramming his vehicle into a bakery in Bandra in the wee hours of September 28, 2002. The trial court sentenced him to five years in jail. The actor immediately approached the HC which first stayed the order and later set aside the conviction. The HC pointed out "various shortcomings in the probe and evidence". It said the prosecution had not convincingly proved he was drunk or at the wheel of his SUV when the vehicle ran over five people.