Celebrities aren’t exempt from the laws of the land. If, like Salman Khan, they are suspected of being guilty of major offences — such as rash and negligent driving causing grievous injuries to others, even killing a person — they must stand trial just like anyone else in the wrong place at the wrong time.
It is a sad commentary on the state of our judicial system that charges are being filed 10 years after the event occurred, and judgment, whether in favour of or against the accused, may be years away. An ordinary citizen held guilty in a hit-and-run case may have already served his time and re-emerged in society.
Celebrities simply can’t hide behind the argument that they are unduly targeted by jealous officials acting on behalf of an envious society. It may be true that in some developed countries famous citizens are often hounded for transgressions of the law just to let them serve as warnings to the rest of society. It does, however, stand to reason that everyone is subject to the same laws and a favoured status due to popularity or charisma can’t stand in the way of the law taking its course.
Privileged people driving zippy cars must be even more aware of the hazards of speeding anywhere, but more so in cramped inner cities. Accidents can happen to anyone, but the pattern of luxury cars running over people on the road seems to suggest a certain devil-may-care attitude in the rich and famous.