This story is from May 7, 2015

'We have no interest whether Salman got convicted or not'

While Salman Khan was being sentenced, there was a certain degree of nonchalance 1,500 km away among a family directly linked to the 13-year-old case. Its chief, Niyamat Sheikh, shook his head dismissively when asked for his reaction.
'We have no interest whether Salman got convicted or not'
GONDA: While Salman Khan was being sentenced, there was a certain degree of nonchalance 1,500 km away among a family directly linked to the 13-year-old case. Its chief, Niyamat Sheikh, shook his head dismissively when asked for his reaction.
“We have no interest in whether Salman got convicted or not. My son has lost his youth. Thirteen years on, his leg is with an iron rod.
He cannot walk properly and is unemployed,” said Niyamat. His son, Muslim Sheikh, is one of the four people who were wounded by the actor’s Land Cruiser and is a witness in the case.
When TOI visited the family in Gonda, UP, on Wednesday, they said Muslim had left for Mumbai two days ago, and gave his telephone number. On the phone, Muslim identified himself as such, but refused to talk about the case. He mumbled something before the line snapped. Thereafter, the phone was switched off.
The family’s forlorn thatched roof house in Barha Para village, Nawabganj Tehsil, narrates the story of their struggle ever since Muslim, along with Kalim Iqbal Pathan from neighbouring Sultanpur, went to Mumbai in the summer of 2002 to work in Bandra’s A-1 Bakery. Life took a crippling swing three months later.
As unskilled workers getting Rs 100 a day, they had nowhere to sleep in the night. They would cook on bakery premises and sleep outside the shutters. The night of September 28 was just like any other when Salman’s uncontrolled SUV ran over five people, killing one and injuring four, including Muslim and Iqbal.
“My son was assured by Salman’s people that they would get him treated. But nobody cared. He continues to be under treatment at a government hospital locally,” Niyamat said. “We have only four bighas of land and all the family is dependent on it. We have no ration card or voter IDs.”
Muslim’s wife Qismatul and their two children appear alien to the din around the case.
Despite his poverty, Muslim has steadfastly remained with the prosecution. Last year, he was allegedly offered Rs 5 lakh by his former lawyer on behalf of the actor. “Paanch lakh le lo aur palat jao (Take Rs 5 lakh and change your statement),” he was allegedly told. He didn’t budge. His resolve has resulted in the actor’s conviction.
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