Documents missing in paper-book, says Salman Khan’s lawyer

Bollywood megastar Salman Khan‘s lawyer Amit Desai on Tuesday told the Bombay High Court that certain documents were not included in the paper-book and hence he could not argue his appeal.

In an application filed before Justice A.R. Joshi, counsel Desai claimed that some documents relating to Salman Khan’s defence were not included in the paper-book — a compilation of evidence and documents prepared by the court registry and submitted to both the sides before the appeal is heard.

One such document, which he termed “very vital”, pertains to the defence stance that police witness Ravindra Patil was a “fabricated witness” who was not telling the truth.

Public Prosecutor Purnima Kantharia and S.S. Shinde said that though the paper-book did not have this document, it was placed in the records and proceedings of the case, which could be referred to by the defence lawyer.

Desai argued that the paper-book should be prepared according to the prescribed manual of the Bombay High Court, which was refuted by the prosecution.

Justice Joshi posted for hearing on Wednesday Desai’s application in the matter.

On May 6 this year, Salman Khan was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, in the September 28, 2002 accident in Bandra which killed one and injured four pavement dwellers.

On May 8, the Bombay High Court stayed execution of the jail term, admitted Salman’s appeal challenging the lower court verdict and granted him bail.

Inputs by IANS