Finally, after 20 years, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was found guilty of killing two blackbucks in Kankani village near Jodhpur on the night of October 1, 1998, during the shooting of the film ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain.‘
Jodhpur: Police personnel deployed outside Jodhpur court ahead of verdict in Blackbuck poaching case. Saif Ali Khan,Neelam & Sonali Bendre's lawyer says,'if they are found guilty then there is equal punishment for all. Maximum punishment will be for six years & minimum one year.' pic.twitter.com/omRMnr3Weh
— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018
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It is significant to note that blackbuck is an endangered species protected listed under Schedule 1 of Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972. Moreover, the Section 9 of Wildlife Protection Act pertains prohibits hunting and Section 51 lists penalties for the same
On Thursday a Jodhpur court convicted Salman Khan in the blackbuck killing case under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and may face a maximum punishment of six years to one-year jail term while his Hum Saath Saath Hain co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, Neelam Kothari and a travel agent named Dushyant Singh from local area were acquitted in the same case.
While announcing the verdict, Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri termed the Tiger Zinda Hai star as ‘habitual offender’
#BlackBuckPoachingCase | Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Tabu, Sonali Bendre in Jodhpur court
Track LIVE updates here: https://t.co/onp3ZnDms4 pic.twitter.com/lrF9Pes2X9— Mumbai Mirror (@MumbaiMirror) April 5, 2018
Meanwhile, after the verdict, Saif and other Bollywood stars immediately left the court. Bishnoi Sabha, wh0 had filed the blackbuck poaching case will now appeal against the acquittal of the other four actors.
NS Solanki, the advocate of co-accused Dushyant Singh said that there were heavy arguments going on for the quantum of sentencing inside the courtroom. While the prosecution has demanded maximum punishment for the Salman Khan.
Unfortunately, after the proceedings, Salman has been sentenced to 5 years in jail in the blackbuck poaching case also a fine of Rs 10,000 has also been levied on the actor. Meanwhile, Salman can still appeal in the Rajasthan High Court against his conviction.
As per the sources, Salman Khan has been taken into custody and a warrant is being prepared. Now the 52-year-old superstar will be sent to Jodhpur Central Jail which is a home to other high profile names- Asaram Bapu, Shambhu Lal, and Malkhan Singh Vishnoi.