In a new twist to their arguments, the lawyer of Bollywood actor Salman Khan today told the trial court that victims of 2002-hit-and-run case sustained serious injuries not in the mishap itself, but when the wrecked car fell on them while being lifted by a crane.
The prosecution's case is that Mr Khan rammed his Toyota Land Cruiser into a bakery in suburban Bandra on September 28, 2002, killing one and injuring four others.
"There are circumstances to suggest that the car dropped on the persons who were underneath when it was being lifted with the help of a crane brought by police after the mishap," said defence lawyer Shrikant Shivade in his final arguments before sessions judge D W Deshpande. He also argued that the post-mortem of the deceased revealed that 'his lungs were crushed completely', and this could happen 'when a heavy object falls on the victim.'
He read out statements of witnesses to argue that 'there were no blood-stains on bedsheets and pillow covers' (the victims were sleeping on the sheets spread on steps of the bakery) and 'nor was there any blood on the steps'.
"The victims stated that they were dragged down by the impact. Had they been run over by the car, they would have been in the same position (stuck under wheels) but they stated that their position shifted," he said.
"This explains why no blood stains or tyre marks were found on the steps. Admittedly, the car had fallen on them when it was being lifted with the help of crane. The bumper too was intact but it had come off and was removed after the car was lifted," Mr Shivade further submitted.
"If they (police) say that the vehicle was speeding at 90 kms per hour, how was the bumper found intact (after the mishap).If tyre soaks in blood and travels some distance there are bound to be tyre marks on the steps but this was absent," he said.
"I am trying to explain why the crane driver's statement was not recorded," advocate added. The court proceedings are still on and shall continue tomorrow.
PTI
