Salman Khan News: Bollywood Star and Suraj Pancholi Mentor Charged With Homicide

Salman Khan, among the most popular and successful actors in Bollywood, has been charged with homicide stemming from a 2002 car accident. 

In September 2002, the actor allegedly drove his Toyota SUV into a bakery in the city of Mumbai, running over five individuals who were sleeping in the streets. One man, Noor Ullah Khan, was killed and three others were seriously wounded. The trial did not begin until 2006, where Salman argued against homicide charges. He was then charged with the lesser crime of death caused by negligence. 

However prosecutors remained intent on reinstating the higher-level charge during arguments made between 2006 and 2011. In February of 2013, they were finally successful in reestablishing the high charges of "culpable homicide not amounting to murder." Salman's legal team challenged the decision in the Bombay High Court, which has now rejected the argument and confirmed the current charges. 

The judge ruled that Salman does not need to be present unless called for during the trial, so he may continue his film work during the process. 

Salman has long maintained a "bad-boy" image, but mostly for his roles in more than 80 Hindi-language Bollywood films. He has been in the headlines again due to his role as a mentor for young actor Suraj Pancholi. Pancholi is set to star in the remake of the film "Hero," which is being produced by Salman. Pancholi was recently imprisoned for nearly a month under charges that he abetted the suicide of his former girlfriend, actress Jiah Khan. Some have suggested that Salman is coaching Pancholi through the case. 

It's not Salman's first run-in with the law either. He was sentenced to five years in prison during 2006 for his hunting of an endangered species of deer, however he spent just a week in prison before posting bail.