A Jodhpur court, today convicted Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case under the Section 9/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, which carries a maximum punishment of 6 years and a minimum one-year jail term.
He was accused of killing a blackbuck during a film shoot of "Hum Sath Sath Hain" in Rajasthan 20 years ago along with other Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Neelam. According to some media reports, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, while pronouncing the verdict called him "habitual offender" and hence the actor was convicted. While, on the other hand, his co-stars Tabu, Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan and Neelam were given the benefit of doubt and were acquitted.
Also, as per the Public Prosecutor Bhawani Singh Bhati, all the accused in this case were in a Gypsy car that night and on spotting a herd of blackbucks, he shot at and kiiled two of them. Reacting to the verdict, he said, "We are happy with the judgment. I haven't read the complete order. Salman Khan has been given 5 year simple imprisonment and ten thousand fine. If he files an appeal and the court considers it, then he can get the bail."
However, Salman Khan's counseler said that the prosecution had engaged in tampering and fabricating evidence as well as roping in fake witnesses to prove its case.
This has come as a big blow not just to the Khan family but to the Bollywood industry as well. Some of his upcoming films that may get impacted are, Race 3, Dabangg 3, Kick 2 and Bharat. Especially, Race 3 as the production is already underway for this movie.
Apparently, the verdict prevents Salman Khan from getting an immediate bail. So, he is left with only the option of appealing against the verdict in a higher court.
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