Actor Salman Khan, booked in a hit-and-run case involving the death of one person and injuries to four others, on Friday urged a sessions court to drop the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in his case.

Salman, on a judicial directive, appeared before additional principal sessions judge A J Dholakia on Friday.

He has been charged under section 304 (Part II) of the Indian Penal Code on the ground that the actor had no knowledge that his alleged rash and negligent driving would result in death of a person and cause injuries to others.

Salman's lawyer Adik Shirodkar said the offence could be tried by a magistrate and filed an application urging for the charges to be dropped.

The court deferred the matter to March 19 for arguments after prosecutor R V Kini sought time to file his reply.

Salman was arrested on September 28, 2002, after his vehicle rammed into a bakery at suburban Bandra, killing one and injuring four others. He was granted bail on the same day.

The actor was rearrested on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Eventually, he secured bail on October 24.

Following a Mumbai high court directive on a public interest litigation, the actor has deposited Rs 19 lakh as compensation to be paid to the victims and their families.

On January 21, a magistrate had referred Salman's case to the sessions court for trial.