The Supreme Court today sought the response from Bollywood superstar Salman Khan on Maharashtra government's appeal against his acquittal in the 2002 hit-and-run case, observing that exoneration from the top court would "vindicate him once and for all".

"Acquittal from this Court is important. If you (Salman Khan) are acquitted from here, you will be vindicated once and for all," a bench comprising justices J S Khehar and C Nagappan said while issuing notice to Khan on the plea of Maharshtra government. Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state, said the Bombay high court had erred on two points while acquitting the filmstar.

"Firstly, the high court had erred in its finding by holding that there was 'erroneous application' of Section 33 of Evidence Act (relevancy of certain evidence for proving, in subsequent proceeding, the truth of facts therein stated) by the trial court," he said.

Rohtagi said that on second count, the high court had erred by holding that the prosecution witness Ravindra Patil, a constable who was guarding the actor and had first called the police, was not a "wholly reliable witness" and his version needed corroboration with accounts of other witnesses.