Bollywood's bad boy Salman Khan had taken the moniker too far when he drove his Toyota Land Cruiser over sleeping pavement dwellers on the night of September 28, 2002. The accident claimed one victim and four injured persons, though many would dispute the usage of the word 'accident'. Especially since the Actor knew he was a threat of life and limb if he drove in an inebriated state.
Many of the 64 witnesses present that night have deposed i.e. given evidence against the actor. Little now is spoken about the late police constable Ravindra Patil, who was the actor's bodyguard that night. He was the only witness who held the key to the complete details of the fateful night. He died unsung, of drug-resistant tuberculosis.
The actor had his unperturbed public appearances, with good publicity coming his way thanks to Being Human and hosting TV shows. It was as if the case never existed. Salmanwas on a roll with box-office hits like Partner, Wantedand Veer. And then, there were the more recent blockbuster hits like Dabanggand Ek Tha Tiger.
But the bomb was dropped on the actor's paradise with a ruling by Sessions Court Judge U B Hejib when he ruled that Salmanwould be tried, not under the original Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code which would get him a maximum sentencing of two years' imprisonment, but under Section 304 (III) under which the punishment is a maximum of ten years. The actor was further in the firing line for putting up his website – salmankhanfiles.com – which was meant to update all concerned on the case proceedings. Ensuing controversy and a filed petition later, the site was pulled off.
The next trial date is due for 24th July. No doubt a long wait for the industry wallahs and fans alike. We wonder how badly an unfavourable verdict will affect the future of his upcoming films. His latest movies include 'Mental/Jai Ho', No Entry Mein Entry, Kick and another project with Sooraj Barjatya. His Saajanco-star Sanjay Dutt has suffered a setback where his career is concerned.
Sanjay's Ungliand P.K.were at the receiving end of the verdict. There is a lot more riding on Salman, who is the bigger star, drawing in a larger audience. 24th July is only a short while off, but all await the Court's decision. The media and other interested parties must be tired of the 'tareekh pe tareekh' state of our judicial system.
