Bollywood actor Salman Khan's trial in the 2002 hit-and-run case was transferred to a new sessions court of Justice D.W. Deshpande here Monday. When the matter came up for hearing before the new judge, he posted it for hearing Sep 5 as the case papers reached him only two days ago. A new public prosecutor has also to be appointed for the trial. Salman has been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder for killing one person and injuring four others by rash and negligent driving. Another sessions judge U.B. Hejib July 24 had framed charge under Indian Penal Code Sec. 304(2), of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, against Salman, which attracts a 10-year jail term. Besides, the actor has been charged under other sections of the IPC and provisions of Bombay Prohibition Act and Motor Vehicles Act. However, he has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Unlike the previous occasion, the actor was not present in the court as he was granted exemption from personal appearance for two months as he had to go abroad on film shooting commitments. On Sep 28, 2002, a Land Cruiser allegedly driven by Salman, ran over a group of pavement dwellers in suburban Bandra, killing one and injuring four others . A magistrate court had held that he could be tried under the offence of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which was later upheld by the session court June 24 this year. The magistrate court had tried him for a lesser offence IPC Section 304 (A) for causing death by negligence which could attract a maximum sentence of two years.