The Maharashtra government on Wednesday told the Bombay High Court that it will appeal in the Supreme Court against the acquittal of actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case. In its December 10 ruling, the Bombay High Court had ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove that Khan was driving the vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

Following the ruling, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said his government will decide on any further course of action in the case after examining the High Court's verdict. The government’s announcement on Wednesday came while the Bombay High Court was hearing a petition filed by journalist Nikhil Wagle in 2002 seeking the imposition of harsher legal provisions against Khan.