Verdict on Salman's hit-and-run case today

Mumbai: A Mumbai sessions court will pronounce its verdict Wednesday in the hit-and-run case against Bollywood superstar Salman Khan who, if convicted, could face up to 10 years in jail. The judgement in the over 12-year-old case, whose trial saw many twists and turns, can make or mar the career of the actor on whom ride investments of over Rs 200 crore. A tight security blanket will be thrown around the court when sessions judge D W Deshpande pronounces the judgement Wednesday. Only the lawyers, media and the court staff will be allowed to be present. While fixing May 6 for delivering the verdict last month, Deshpande had directed the 49-year-old actor to be present at 11.15 am. The popular actor was tried afresh under the harsher charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder which is punishable with imprisonment up to 10 years. A Bandra metropolitan magistrate, who conducted the trial under lesser charge of rash and negligent driving had in 2012 slapped the more serious offence of culpable homicide and committed it to sessions court.agencies