File photo: Actor Salman Khan
Actor Salman Khan was exempted from appearing in court on Monday in connection with a 2002 hit-and-run case over which he faces charges of culpable homicide.
One person was killed and four others were injured when a car, allegedly driven by the actor, rammed into a bakery in suburban Bandra in Mumbai on September 28, 2002.
For years, his lawyers have argued that Mr Khan was not driving the car.
Mr Khan's lawyers moved court to adjourn the proceedings after complaining that they were not given a list of witnesses who would be examined on Monday.
The actor's lawyers argued that though the court had ordered the prosecution to provide a list of witnesses, it had not followed the court's orders.
Criminal jurisprudence is based on the principle of fair trial and that they could not possibly bring files of all 63 witnesses to court, argued the defence lawyers.
The prosecution alleged that the defence was trying to pressurise the prosecution. Special Public Prosecutor Pradeep Gharat argued that if names of witnesses are provided in advance, the defence may tamper with witnesses, adding that the entire list of witnesses has been provided earlier.
Two witnesses were examined in court on Monday. One of them was the manager of American Express laundry in Bandra, in front of which the accident had taken place, and the other was an insurance agent.
During the proceedings, the court observed, "It's been 12 years. We must complete the trial by December."
The proceeding was adjourned to December 3, when a motor vehicles inspector and a chemical analysis expert are expected to testify. Mr Khan will have to be present in court on that day.
The actor faces the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to ten years in prison.