Mumbai, July 10: The Bombay High Court will hear in detail Salman Khan's plea for dropping the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder" in last year's hit-and-run case on July 28. The court felt that this case required detailed hearing as it could have a bearing on similar cases elsewhere.

Section 304 (II) of the Indian Penal Code, which is applied to Salman and which deals with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, is based on the premise that the accused knows that his or her act will result in death of a person. Justice V M Kanade, who heard initial submissions made by senior counsel Shirish Gupte representing Salman, said he would decide the matter at its admission stage. The matter has been kept for a detailed hearing on July 28.

Salman is facing the charge of killing one person and injuring four others by ramming his Land Cruiser into a shop on September 28 last year at Hill Road in Bandra while returning home in the wee hours. Salman's body guard, police constable Ravindra Patil and friend Kamaal Khan were also in the vehicle at that time.

Public prosecutors Purnima Kantharia and Sahaji Shinde submitted an affidavit filed by investigating officer Kisan Shengal, urging dismissal of the appeal. Shengal said Salman was only trying to delay commencement of his trial.

Salman has been charged with ten offences, including culpable homicide and driving without a licence and under the influence of alcohol. He has denied all charges. He filed an appeal in the HC seeking the quashing of the trial court's order holding him, prima facie, guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The sessions court, on May 2, had refused to drop the charge of culpable homicide. Bureau Report