Blackbuck Poaching Case: Salman Khan Guilty After 20 Yrs, Co-Stars Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Tabu Acquitted

 In a major jolt to Bollywood actor Salman Khan, a Jodhpur court on Thursday held him guilty in the two-decade-old blackbuck poaching case while his co-actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam have been acquitted.

Salman has been convicted under the Wildlife Protection Act for killing two blackbucks in Bhagoda ki Dhani in Mathania village near Jodhpur on the intervening night of October 1-2, 1998, while he was there for the shooting of film Hum Saath Saath Hain.

The argument on sentence is on. Salman’s counsel has cited his social work.

Blackbuck is a protected species under Schedule 1. Following the poaching, the Bishnoi community, which is a firm believer in conservation of nature, had lodged a complaint.

The blood samples of the animal matched with stains found in Salman’s car.

It is to be noted that Salman was earlier convicted in 2006 for poaching of three Chinkaras at Bhawad and Ghoda farms near Jodhpur in September, 1998.

Salman was sentenced to one-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5,000.

In July, 2016, the Rajasthan High Court had acquitted him.

The state had moved the Supreme Court against his acquittal.