Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Thursday said he accepts with "humility" the verdict of the Bombay High Court, which acquitted him of all charges in the infamous 2002 accident case here.
“I accept the decision of the judiciary with humility. I thank my family, friends and fans for their support and prayers,” Salman tweeted on Thursday.
The actor was given a clean chit in the September 28, 2002, accident case by the Bombay High Court here on Thursday, citing lack of evidences. The accident in Bandra left one pavement dweller dead and four others injured.
Delivering the much-awaited verdict, Justice A.R. Joshi said the actor "cannot be convicted" on the basis of the evidences produced by the prosecution in the 13-year-old case and trial.
Salman, clad in a dark, checked shirt and jeans, showed no emotion while the verdict was being pronounced, but was later seen quietly wiping tears from his eyes in the court.
Most family members, including his father Salim Khan, his sisters, brothers, and aides accompanied him for the judgment. Even his long-time bodyguard Shera could be seen shielding the actor from the media around the court premises.
Salman rushed to Mumbai from a shooting schedule in Karjat, in adjacent Raigad district, following the court's directive to be present on Thursday.
Post-verdict, Salman completed various legal formalities in the court, including executing a bond if the prosecution decided to appeal in the case, before he could walk out a free man.
The news of Salman getting a breather from the court was followed by a string of congratulatory messages from his friends and colleagues from the film industry, as well as from his fans.