The trial date for Salman Khan's infamous 2002 hit and run case has been called off until 12 September 2014. The case, which had its court hearing confirmed for 21 August has now lost each of its original documents and witnesses' statements.
"Police informed the court for the first time today that the case diaries have disappeared. Earlier, they had told the court that only 7 of the 63 original statements of witnesses were traceable, although true copies were available," a PTI report states.
Kishan Sehgal, the former investigating officer (IO), reported the loss of case diary. The IO has apparently been requested to show up on the day of the trial to explain the missing files.
The police reportedly informed that the case files, safely tucked away in a magistrate's court, went missing after the trial was shifted to the session's court.
Over a decade old, the trial witnessed a massive twist when the superstar was slapped with charges of 'culpable homicide', which attracts a 10-year imprisonment.
While Salman's lawyer Srikant Shivade argued that producing 'original' copies at the court is mandatory as per the law, police were of the opinion that the Mumbai Court trials can be continued with just 'true copies'. Since the nature of crime is sensitive, availability of 'actual' documents becomes necessary, suggested reports.
Salman, was accused of killing one and injuring four people after his car drove into a bakery next to a pavement.
The actor also charged in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. Salman, along with his co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam Kothari and Tabu, while shooting "Hum Saath Saath Hain" had reportedly killed two endangered blackbucks in Jodhpur. The last development the case saw was on 27 April 2014.
