Survivors of hit-and-run case against Salman await justice

Image
Press Trust of India Mumbai/Gonda
Last Updated : Dec 10 2015 | 8:03 PM IST
: As Bollywood star Salman Khan walked free in the 2002 hit-and-run case, one of those injured in the accident caused by his SUV said he is yet to get "justice and compensation" for which he has waited for 13 long years.
"We have waited for 13 long years to receive justice and finally Salman was acquitted today. If the court had to pronounce a judgement in his favour it could have done so many years back. What was the point in making us wait for so many years," said Abdulla, a survivor.
"I was injured, I broke my leg. I have small children but I cannot work because of my injuries. How do I earn and make my children eat?" he asked.
"We have been waiting for justice and compensation for the last 13 years but are yet to receive it. I have small children and am worried about their education and how to bring them up," Abdulla added.
On whether he personally saw Salman in the driver's seat when the actor's Toyota Land Cruiser ran over people sleeping on the pavement, killing one and wounding four, he replied in the negative.
"I did not see him driving the car myself, but others did. People have been saying that Salman was driving the car," he said.
The family of another injured Abdul Sheikh, whose legs had got crushed under the actor's vehicle, also voiced dissatisfaction over Bombay High Court judgement and demanded adequate compensation and allowance from the film star.
"The court should also have thought about us...Salman Khan should give us sustenance allowance and compensation," said Reshma, the wife of one of the victims, Abdul Sheikh.
Sheikh, who currently lives in Gonda in Uttar Pradesh with his wife and four children, is facing financial crisis.
"After the accident my husband is not able to work even as a labourer. He can work very little in the agriculture field and there is no other source of income. I am working to somehow make both ends meet...If Salman Khan gives us Rs 10-15 lakh, we will be able to bring up our children," Reshma said.
Salman Khan has already deposited Rs 19 lakh in the Bombay High Court registry to be given to the victims of the mishap as compensation following a court directive on a PIL.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Dec 10 2015 | 8:03 PM IST

Next Story