Salman Khan sentenced to five years in jail in rare blackbuck poaching case

Finally, the court verdict in the controversial blackbuck deer poaching case sent Salman Khan to five years in jail. 

Actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam, and Jodhpur resident Dushyant Singh have been given the benefit of doubt and acquitted as co-accused.

A Jodhpur court on Thursday pronounced Bollywood actor Salman Khan guilty. Salman has been accused of killing two blackbucks an endangered species in September 1998 in Kankani village, Jodhpur, during the shooting of “Hum Saath Saath Hain”. 

They were in the jeep that Khan was believed to be driving during the hunt. Tabu and Neelam both use just one name.

There were 28 witnesses in the case, including local Bishnoi villagers, who are said to have fled their huts after hearing gunshots. 

He was originally convicted over allegations of deer poaching in 2006, receiving a sentence of five years in jail. 

After spending one week in jail, however, Khan's sentence was suspended by the Rajasthan High Court. 

What happens next?

Salman Khan can challenge the conviction in the Rajasthan High Court within 90 days. 

Salman Khan's sentencing may be suspended during the pendency of the appeal in the high court. As per law, if a person is convicted of an offence under the Indian Penal Code and gets a sentence of more than three years, the bail can be granted by a high court.

What are the other poaching cases against the actor?

The actor was also charged with two other poaching cases of Chinkara deer and blackbuck in Bhawad village and Mathania village respectively. He was acquitted in both the cases. However, the verdict in the Chinkara deer case was challenged by the Rajasthan government in the Supreme Court following which the actor was issued notice. The matter is currently pending with the top court.



Soruce: London Evening Standard, The Hindu, The Indian Express