Mumbai, July 28: On a plea of Maharashtra government, Mumbai High Court today deferred till July 31 an appeal filed by film actor Salman Khan against a lower court order which rejected his plea to discharge him from the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in a hit-and-run case. The matter was adjourned by Justice V M Kanade as public prosecutor Shahji Shinde sought time.
Salman is facing the charge of killing one person and injuring four others by ramming his vehicle into a shop on September 28 last year in suburban Bandra.
On July 9, the state filed an affidavit saying that it had prima facie material for framing charge under Section 304 part two IPC against the actor and that the appeal filed by him was "an attempt to delay the trial".
The affidavit said that Salman had knowledge that his rash and negligent act might result in death of person and in spite of repeated warnings by a police bodyguard, continued to drive recklessly on the ill-fated day.
The affidavit alleged that the actor had consumed liquor before sitting behind the steering wheel and had driven the car recklessly. It alleged Salman was fully aware about the area's topography and had knew that people sleep outside the shops and driving speedily might endanger lives of people.
The affidavit further alleged that Salman was not holding any licence and had contravened motor vehicles act provisions.
Salman had opposed the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder which attracts maximum punishment of ten years in jail. He argued that the case was that of rash and negligent driving for which the maximum punishment prescribed under IPC was two years.

Bureau Report