MUMBAI: For the first time since an FIR was registered against actor Salman Khan in 2002 for a hit-and-run case, his driver Ashok Singh appeared before the court on Monday and owned up to driving the vehicle on the night of the accident.

Till now, at no point in the investigation or trial, was it ever claimed by the prosecution or the defense that the car was being driven by Ashok Singh. “In all these years of the case, there is only one minor reference to Ashok Singh as the driver who used to drive Salman’s car in the day time. At no point was it claimed that he drove the car on that night,” special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat told The Hindu later.

During his cross-examination, Ashok Singh refused the prosecution’s suggestion that he was paid money to own up the crime.

He pleaded ignorance about the court procedures, and said that was the reason he did not come forth earlier. He said he came to court on Monday after Salim Khan, Salman’s father, asked him to present himself before the court and tell the truth.

He said he was on the accident spot for nearly five to eight minutes after the accident.