The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sought some clarifications from the Maharashtra Government on a petition filed by senior journalist Nikhil Wagle seeking compensation from Salman Khan for victims of the 2002 hit-and-run incident.
Though the actor has already deposited compensation for the families of victims as directed by the High Court, Wagle’s petition is still being heard in view of the fact that the court expanded its scope to include the issue of enhancement of punishment in accident cases.
Among the clarifications that the HC bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Gautam Patel sought from the State Government were: what type of devices were available with the authorities to hold blood analysis test of accused in hit-and-run cases to determine consumption of alcohol and whether there were any guidelines framed in this regard.
Responding to a query whether there was any time-limit within which the blood test conducted in accident cases, Vagyani said that the first five to seven hours after the mishap was the crucial period when ideally such examination is done and it was also prescribed in the Police Manual and Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing of Wagle’s petition in January after the Christmas-New Year vacations.