2002 hit-n-run case: Salman denies driving car; having drinks

Says his driver Ashok Singh was driving the car when the mishap occured

Describing the evidence adduced against him in the hit-and-run case as "false", Bollywood superstar Salman Khan today told the trial court that he was not driving the car which met with an accident in 2002 killing one person and injuring four.

The 49-year-old actor while stating that his driver was behind the wheel also denied the prosecution's charge that he had taken drinks just before the mishap occurred.

"My driver, Ashok Singh, was driving the car when the mishap occurred," Khan, attired in a white shirt and blue denim jeans, said in reply to a question posed by Judge D W Deshpande.

Khan was summoned to make a statement under section 313 of Cr.Pc on the evidence adduced against him in the court during the trial. He was asked 418 questions by the Judge.

Khan's car had rammed into a bakery shop in suburban Bandra in the wee hours of September 28, 2002, killing one person and injuring four others who were sleeping outside on pavement.

According to prosecution, he was driving the car and he was under the influence of liquor at the relevant time, a charge he denied.

"I do not want to examine myself but would like to examine defence witnesses", said the actor when the court asked him what he had to say about the case against him.

Khan further said that the entire evidence placed in the court against him was "false". The actor denied having taken drinks at a bar where he had gone with his friends and brother Sohail Khan just before the mishap occurred.

"I was having a glass of water at the bar," he said in reply to a question.

The actor also said that Bala Shankar, who had tested Khan's blood sample was not an expert. He was responding to deposition of this witness who had told the court earlier that 62mg alcohol was found in Khan's blood sample, which was above the permissible limit, indicating that the actor had taken drinks before the mishap.

Khan further told the Judge that the chemical analysis expert, while testing his blood sample, had allegedly not followed the procedures prescribed for examination.

Khan was shown three photographs of the spot where his car had met with an accident and he identified them. These photos had been produced by the prosecution earlier.