Family and fans were regular visitors to court during Salman Khan's hearings

MUMBAI: When Salman Khan made his first appearance in the fresh trial on July 19, 2013, people thronged outside the court for a glimpse of the actor. Lawyers, litigants and court staff have made a beeline ever since, crowding the otherwise empty court room, as the star actor’s presence in the proceedings has elicited curious responses.
On March 27 this year, Khan was once again present in court, standing in the dock to make his final statement under section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code.Oblivious to him but in full view of all others present in court, a small group of staffers stood on the other side of the door leading to Judge D W Deshpande’s chamber and watched the actor answer questions. Earlier, on several occasions when he was dozing off in the courtroom, the actor has been prodded to stand by his entourage. Many court personnel walking in and out of the room have been seen slowing their pace to stare at him on such occasions, but Khan’s bodyguard Shera has always been close at hand, giving disproving looks to all those who attempted to get too close.
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Of the family members attending the proceedings, most consistent have been Khan’s sisters, Arpita and Alvira. The former has stayed away from the court since her much marriage in November 2014, but was present on March 27 and stood ahead during the entire proceedings. Alvira, married to actor and director Atul Agnihotri, has been clued into every aspect of the case and was present until the last day of the proceedings on April 21. When Khan’s parents, Salim and Salma made their solitary appearance on April 17, Alvira was seen holding her mother’s hands throughout the proceedings. Khan’s manager Reshma Shetty, has attended all hearings and constantly communicated with the defence team.
Other consistent attendees included Khan’s fan, Pune-based Pranita Fulsagar (23), who has been making the four-hour train journey for every hearing in the last three years. Another visitor is a senior citizen from Bandra, who jots notes with colour pens. He has tried to get in touch with the Khans and claims to have been present at the spot on the night of the incident.

Entry to the fourth-floor court room was restricted mostly to lawyers and media personnel whenever Khan was present, but on several instances policemen and Khan’s entourage had to refrain people from taking pictures of the actor, who was seated in the dock. Once a member of his entourage confiscated the phone of a litigant who took a picture of the actor inside the court.
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