2002 hit-and-run case: Hearing begins in SC; Maha govt calls Salman's acquital 'travesty of justice'

The Maharashtra Government today argued in the Supreme Court that Salman Khan's acquittal in the 2002 hit-and-run case is a 'travesty of justice'.

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi described the Bombay High Court December order, overturning the actor's guilty verdict, as 'perverse'.

The AG made two main sharp arguments:

He challenged Khan's theory that his driver was behind the wheel when the accident took place. He questioned why the driver's version came to light 13 years after the accident, in 2015, and not then in 2002.

He also pointed out that there was a botch up in the initial stage of the investigation as the accident took place at 3 am but Salman's blood sample was collected as late as 10.30 am, reported The Times of India.

The Maharashtra Government has challenged the High Court's verdict. The case will be heard next Friday.

The 50-year-old actor had earlier moved the apex court, saying he should be heard before any hearing on the Maharashtra Government's petition challenging his acquittal in the case.

The Maharashtra Government had on January 22 filed a petition in the apex court against the Bombay High Court's judgement acquitting Salman of 'all charges', overturning the trial court's order sentencing him to five years.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced that his government would challenge the High Court's verdict on its merits.

On 10 December 2015, Salman was given a clean chit in the case with the court observing that the main witness was 'wholly unreliable' and that there were discrepancies in the case.

The actor is accused of driving a car under the influence of alcohol and killing one and injuring four others in Bandra, Mumbai, in 2002.

With inputs from ANI