SC no to fast-tracking of Maha govt’s appeal
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday virtually put the Maharashtra government’s appeal challenging Salman Khan’s acquittal in a 2002 hit-and-run case in cold storage as it admitted the state’s petition but refused to fast-track the hearing.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday virtually put the Maharashtra government’s appeal challenging Salman Khan’s acquittal in a 2002 hit-and-run case in cold storage as it admitted the state’s petition but refused to fast-track the hearing.
Under the top court’s rules, once an appeal is admitted, it comes up for hearing in due course. This means the case against the Bollywood actor is unlikely to be heard before four years, unless the court decides to give it priority.
“This case dates back to 2002. By the time the appeal comes up for hearing, many years would have gone by. We request you to list it after six months,” attorney general Mukul Rohatgi appealed to the court on behalf of the Maharashtra government.
But a bench headed by justice JS Khehar — which also accepted Khan’s request that the case be decided on merit — told the law officer, “This is an accident case. We cannot expedite it just because X, Y or Z is involved.” It, however, said Rohatgi was at liberty to seek an early hearing from the Chief Justice of India.
Khan was acquitted in December after the Bombay high court ruled there was no evidence to prove he was at the wheels of his Land Cruiser when it ran over five people sleeping on a pavement in Mumbai, killing one.