Speaking about the case, Renuka Shahane wrote, “In 1998 a Black Buck & 2 Chinkaras (that are endangered species & therefore can not be killed) were allegedly killed on a hunting trip that included Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Amrita Singh, Tabu & Sonali Bendre”.
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While dropping charges against Mr Khan on Monday, the court overturned earlier verdicts that sentenced him to jail and said there was no evidence to prove that the deer found dead were shot with Mr Khan’s licensed gun.
Last month, Khan ran into trouble again when he said a grueling training session had left him feeling “like a raped woman”.
Dulani, the prosecution’s only witness in the poaching cases, was reported missing since 2002, which weakened the prosecution’s case against the movie star.
Bora argued that Dulani was never available to them for cross-examination and hence his statements could not be relied upon in conviction of Khan. He also argued that both cases had been built on circumstantial evidence and there was no witness or any material evidence against Khan. They also staged “dharna” in Jodhpur, showing placards and demanded punishment for Salman Khan.
Varun shares a friendly bond with Salman, who has worked several times with his father and director David Dhawan.
Dulani also maintained that he was not absconding but was only under fear due to threats.
Salman Khan’s sister Arpita Khan (pic, above) has thanked his fans and well-wishers for standing by the family during the tough period. “We are going to request the state government to approach the Supreme Court in this case”, said Hiraram Bishnoi, a community leader.
“Thank you for your support and prayers”, Salman tweeted.
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One of the two chinkaras was apparently hunted at Bhawad, near Jodhpur, on 26 September 1998, while another incident was reported to have occurred at Ghoda farms two days later. The alleged poaching happened when Khan was shooting for Sooraj Barjatya’s “Hum Saath Saath Hain”.
