MUMBAI: The Salman Khan verdict, scheduled to be pronounced on Wednesday , will bring the curtains down on a case that has riveted the nation's attention for 13 years. Sessions judge D W Deshpande, who has been conducting the fresh trial that commenced in April last year, will deliver the judgment at 11.15am with the Bollywood superstar standing in the dock and a posse of policemen guarding the court premises to keep the expected crowds at bay.The actor is accused of ramming his Landcruiser into the American Express Bakery on Bandra's Hill Road in the early hours of September 28, 2002. One person sleeping on the footpath was killed, while four persons were seriously injured.Khan, who has Rs 200 crore riding on his next two films, arrived in the city on Tuesday evening from Srinagar, where he was shooting for his home production Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The film is due for a July 25 Eid release, while the second, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, directed by Sooraj Barjatya, will hit theatres in Diwali.Khan has been on bail since his release on October 25, 2002. The best outcome for him would be if the court holds that he wasn't at the wheel and acquits him of all charges. The worst scenario for him is if he is found guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304-II of the IPC for an act committed with knowledge that it could result in someone's death. The crime attracts a maximum imprisonment of ten years.Khan can also be convicted only of rash driving, which attracts a two-year jail term. However, under law, the sentence can be suspended the same day and the convict given bail immediately. The question about whether jail is imminent and immediate thus depends on the conviction and the sentence.Witnessing various twists and turns, the case saw 27 prosecution witnesses deposing. One turned hostile.The sole defence witness Ashok Singh, employed as Khan's driver for over two decades, sensationally claimed on March 30 this year that he was behind the wheel and not the actor. Special public prosecutor Pradeep Gharat dubbed Singh a "self-condemned liar" and said he was liable for perjury.Khan was tried for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, a charge which was added to the case after key prosecution witness Ravindra Patil-a constable assigned to guard the star-told the police that the actor had been driving the vehicle drunk. Although Patil died in 2007, his examination before the magistrate court was included in the present trial. During the final arguments, defence advocate Shrikant Shivade opposed the inclusion and said Patil's statement before the court was taken when Khan was being tried for the lesser charge of rash and negligent driving.Another key prosecution witness was Dattaray Bhalshankar, the chemical analyst who told the court that Khan's blood sample taken hours after the incident, tested positive for 62mg of alcohol. This he said was over double the permissible limit. In his cross-examination, however, the witness could not recollect how he conducted the method to analyse the sample. The defence also claimed that he was not an expert and had not taken proper precautions.Special public prosecutor Pradip Gharat submitted that "Salman's driver is a liar and once that is proved, why should the prosecution's version that Salman was driving not be accepted in the absence of alternate versions?'' He also said though the prosecution has to prove its case against accused beyond reasonable doubt: "in the absence of specific suggestions…the court has to balance and evaluate evidence and ignore minor inconsistencies in depositions".In the event Khan is convicted, he will be lodged in Thane or Taloja central jail. When he had been re-arrested in the case on October 7, 2002, he had been lodged in Thane central jail for just over two weeks. "We have left it to the prison administration. The DIG of prisons will take a decision," said a high-ranking bureaucrat, adding there would be no special arrangements in jail for Khan.The bureaucrat said that if the actor is acquitted, instructions have been given to the police to immediately file an appeal before the competent court.The sentencing follows a conviction. Defence lawyer Shivade and prosecutor Gharat would have to make submissions. The court can hear submissions on Wednesday too.Mumbai police will have a tough task on their hands on Wednesday, with fans, mediapersons and curious onlookers expected to throng the sessions court. A large number of policemen, most of whom were on duty outside Wankhede stadium for Tuesday's IPL match, will be posted around the court. People visiting the session court have been advised to carry proper documentation as only those who have their hearing dates will be allowed inside. "We have made elaborate bandobast in around the court and some areas in the vicinity have been made no-parking zones. We hope everything goes off peacefully,'' said Deven Bharti, joint commissioner of police (law and order).Besides his two under-production films, Salman is committed to start Shuddhi for Karan Johar, a film in which Sanjay Dutt will play the antagonist. And he is also committed to start films for producer Boney Kapoor, his brother Arbaaz Khan and his brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri."Since he is the ruling star today, should the verdict go against him, it will be a big blow to the Hindi film industry," a leading trade analyst told TOI.