Poaching case: Salman asks Court for closure of eyewitness' evidence
08th June 2004
22.02 IST
By ApunKaChoice Bureau
Salman Khan , facing trial in a case of poaching of protected wild animals in a local court in Jodhpur, today sought "closure of evidence" of a crucial eyewitness who has failed to appear in the court for the last two years.
Replying to a plea of prosecution that arrest or bailable warrant should be issued against the eyewitness, Harish Dulani, driver of the gypsy allegedly used for hunting by the accused, Salman's counsel Hasti Mal Saraswat moved an application before Chief Judicial Magistrate Salim Malik seeking closure of eyewitness' evidence.
Dulani has been evading summons by moving with his family to an unknown location.
"Enough time has been given to prosecution to present its witness with the court directing it way back in March last year that if Dulani was not produced his evidence would be closed," Saraswat said.
Prosecution in its application during the last hearing asked the court that Dulani should be called by arrest or bailable warrant because his evidence crucial to the case.
Dulani had stated in his initial deposition before the court two years back that Salman slit neck of black buck with his knife after shooting the animal near Bhawad in September 1998.
The court fixed next hearing on July 6.
The actor is the main accused in the poaching case registered in October 1998 when he was in town for the shooting of Suraj Barjatya's film Hum Saath Saath Hain .
