Bollywood actor Salman Khan arrives at a court in Mumbai.

One of India’s biggest and most popular movie stars, Salman Khan, has been found guilty of running over five men sleeping on a sidewalk, killing one in a hit-and-run case that has dragged through the courts for more than 12 years.

A Mumbai court on Wednesday convicted Khan of culpable homicide, saying all charges against him had been proved, Press Trust of India said.

Khan also faces charges of negligent driving and causing grievous harm to the victims.

The prosecution told the court that Khan was drunk when he rammed his SUV into a group of homeless people in September 2002.

Khan is one of Bollywood’s most popular stars and has acted in more than 90 Hindi-language films in his 27-year career.

Khan, who faces up to 10 years in prison, was expected to appeal.

Huge crowds had gathered outside Khan’s house in south Mumbai for a glimpse of the star as he emerged from his apartment block surrounded by security guards. Scores of television crews and reporters followed the actor’s car and thronged the building as the court gave its verdict in a case that has been closely watched by millions of Khan’s fans in India and abroad.

Bollywood filmmakers were a worried as Khan has several films in the pipeline. Film industry analysts said Khan had projects worth 2.5 billion rupees ($40 million) riding on him.

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