Bollywood's Salman Khan charged with culpable homicide for 2002 crash

MUMBAI, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Bollywood icon Salman Khan has been charged with culpable homicide for a 2002 hit-and-run and could face 10 years in prison if convicted, officials said.

Khan was initially charged with the crime, then successfully appealed it and is currently on trial for the lesser offense of death caused by negligence.

The BBC said an Indian judge reinstated the original charge Thursday at the request of prosecutors.

"There is enough evidence to show that the act was not incidental and hence the case should be tried under a more serious section," Magistrate Vasant Patil said in his order.

Khan drove his Toyota Land Cruiser into the American Express bakery in the Bandra area of Mumbai more than a decade ago, running over five people sleeping on the street, killing one of them.

Khan is required to appear in court March 11 to answer the more serious charge. His lawyers have been allowed to defend him in his absence at the trial for the lesser charge, the BBC said.