Salman Khan Blackbuck Poaching Case: Rajasthan High Court Extends Stay In Hearing Of Appeals Till April 27

The Rajasthan High Court, bench at Jodhpur, on Friday extended till April 27 stay in hearing the appeals in relation to the Blackbuck Poaching case which are under consideration before a District Court in Jodhpur.

3 years back, a Jodhpur court on April 8, 2018 had sentenced Salman Khan to five years of imprisonment in the blackbuck poaching case while his co-actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam were acquitted.

About the Appeals

Three appeals, pending before a District and Sessions Court in Jodhpur, have been  preferred on different considerations challenging the judgement of the Jodhpur Court.

In no particular order:

1. The first appeal is made by the State Government against the acquittal of Salman Khan in the Arms Act case.

2. The second appeal is preferred by Salman Khan challenging his 5 year imprisonment in the Blackbuck Poaching case.

3. The last appeal is against the acquittal of other co accused persons including actresses Neelam, Tabu, Sonali and Actor Saif Ali Khan in the same case.

 Salman Khan's Transfer Petition

The transfer petition has been filed in view of the fact that the appeals are pending before the District and Sessions Court, Jodhpur and High Court respectively and that it is pertinent in order to meet the ends of justice that all the appeals be decided by the same Court.

While issuing notice to the respondents in the said transfer petition, a Single Judge bench comprising of Justice Manoj Kumar Garg vide order dated 5th March 2021 directed the District and Sessions Judge, Jodhpur not to proceed with the said appeals till further orders, thereby staying the proceedings.

During the course of hearing dated 5th March, reliance was made by counsel appearing on behalf of Salman Khan on an earlier judgment passed by the High Court wherein the Court while exercising power under sec. 386 Cr.P.C allowed similar transfer petition and directed the Criminal Appeal pending in the Sessions Court, Jodhpur to be transferred to the High Court.

In the hearing dated 9th April, the High Court extended the interim order till 27th April 2021.

"Notices of the respondent Nos.3 to 7shall be served on the counsel representing these respondents inthe court below and shall be provided Dasti to the counsel for the petitioner. It shall be the responsibility of the counsel representingthe petitioner to get the notices of respondent Nos.3 to 7 servedfailing which, the interim order shall not be extended beyond nextdate of hearing.List on 27.04.2021. Interim order shall continue till next dateof hearing." The Court ordered.

Title: Salman Khan v. State of Rajasthan & Ors.

Click Here To Read Order Dated 9 April

Click Here To Read Order Dated 5 March