Blackbuck Poaching Case: Salman Khan declared guilty by Jodhpur court; other accused Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre walks free
The judgement on one of the most high profile case is announced today by the Jodhpur court of 1998 blackbuck killing case. Bollywood actor Salman Khan declared guilty in Blackbuck poaching case. Other actors, Tabu, Neelam, Sonali Bendre and Neelam Kothari pronounced non-guilty. As per the reports, Bishnoi Sabha to appeal against the acquittal of Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam, Sonali Bendre. The quantum of sentence on Salman Khan likely to announce before 1 pm.
The high profile because of Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Tabu, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre and Neelam Kothari, all were involved in hunting the blackbucks. The incident occurred in 1998 during the shooting for the film Hum Saath - Saath Hain. Salman Khan reached Jodhpur court accompanied by his bodyguard Shera.
Salman Khan pleads not guilty in Jodhpur court and denied all charges against him. But the court found him guilty in blackbuck killing case.
Salman Khan is convicted under Section 9 and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act. The maximum sentence under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act carries maximum punishment of six years and minimum one-year jail term.
According to a report in First Post, If the court pronounces more than three years in prison for the actor, Salman will have to approach a higher court for bail but if it is less than three years, the actor can apply for bail in the same court.
The argument on the quantum of punishment is on. Salman Khan's counsels are praying for probation, says NS Solanki, lawyer of Dushyant Singh who was co-accused in blackbuck poaching case.
Apart from killing the endangered wild animal, another case was also charged against Salman Khan for the possession of expired licenses firearms. As the verdict has to be announced today, therefore, actors have already reached Jodhpur.
The incident occurred when Salman Khan was on shoot for Sooraj Barjatya's movie Hum Saath - Saath Hain. However, Salman Khan has been accused of killing two blackbucks on 2 October 1998 in Kankani village in Jodhpur.
Well, the case trial has been in progress for the last 19 years and Judge Dev Kumar Khatri reserved the order after the final arguments on March 28.
Earlier in 2006, Salman Khan was convicted in the case and also sentenced to five years in jail. After spending a week in jail, the punishment was suspended by the Rajasthan High Court. The charges on 'Race 3' actor were dropped later due to the lack of evidence.
First published: 5 April 2018, 11:35 IST