Salman didn't smell of alcohol, Chunky Pandey's brother tells court

In what can be termed as some relief coming Salman Khan’s way, Chunkey Pandey's brother Chikky Pandey, a witness in Salman's 2002 hit-and-run case told the Sessions Court yesterday that Salman didn't smell of alcohol when he (Chikky) met the actor at his home a few hours after the incident. "I met Salman on the next day morning at 9am at his place (few hours after the mishap at around 3am) and hugged him, but he did not smell of alcohol, " Chikky recorded. Chikki further said in his statement that the junction near the American Express Bakery was always busy with slow vehicular traffic movement. When asked by prosecutor Pradeep Gharat whether there was heavy traffic at the junction all 24 hours, Chikky replied: "Not always." The Land Cruiser that Salman was allegedly driving that day belonged to a certain Abdul Rehman who had imported the car from Dubai but couldn't pay the import duty for it. It was here when Chikki stepped in and got Salman to buy the car for Rs 14 lakh from Abdul Rehman through a customs clearing agent. At the time of the mishap, the vehicle had not yet been transferred in Salman's name. Salman couldn't appear before the court yesterday owing to Arpita's wedding. The next hearing will take place on 24-25 November when other witnesses would be examined and Salman has been asked to remain present in court for the same.