Mumbai : A Mumbai court has ruled that Indian movie star Salman Khan will be tried for homicide for his alleged involvement in a fatal road accident more than 10 years ago. The 47-year-old Bollywood actor and producer faces up to 10 years in jail if convicted over the hit-and-run case.

One man was killed and another three injured when Mr Khan allegedly rammed his car into a group of homeless people sleeping on a Mumbai pavement in September 2002. The actor was earlier being tried for the lesser offence of causing death by negligence, which carries a maximum punishment of two years in jail. Mondays  court decision is a blow for one of Bollywoods biggest stars. Mr Khan has starred in about 90 Hindi-language films in his 25-year career. The trial will begin July 19.

The trial has seen multiple adjournments, excuses and counter-petitions and has now stretched on for more than a decade since it began in August 2004. The process has been slowed partly due to Khans counsel requesting the star not make personal appearances in the case. As one of Bollywoods busiest stars with projects worth millions riding on him, Khans upcoming trial could put a dampener on his career and the industry.

It  is no secret that Khan and controversy go hand in hand. In 1998, during filming of the blockbuster Hum Saath Saath Hain in the north Indian city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Khan and co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre and Tabu were accused of poaching endangered black bucks.