Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was on Thursday found guilty by a Jodhpur court in the blackbuck poaching case that began in 1998.
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Khan was also accused of two other cases of killing two blackbucks and an Indian gazelle, also known as chikara also in the state of Rajasthan.
Actors across the world play an important role in the society; they are considered as a model to follow and are able to influence children and adults who watch their movies and his way of life.
Shortly after the sentence was pronounced on Thursday, Salman was taken to Jodhpur Central Jail. Last year, another court in Jodhpur had acquitted Salman in a separate poaching case. The court eventually awarded him 5 years jail term. Salman Khan’s bail application will be heard tomorrow morning at 10:30 am by a district judge.
Earlier today, the court acquitted Salman’s co-actors Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Neelam and Tabu who were also accused in the case. They had led the lawsuit against Salman Khan. “Despite this, the accused hunted two blackbucks”, said Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri in his written judgment.
The 52-year-old actor was in the middle of shooting Race 3 but it is not clear whether his work is complete on the film, being directed by Remo D’Souza. They were in the auto that Khan was said to be driving during the hunt.
“I feel bad. He should be given relief”.
Salman Khan has applied for bail and is most likely to challenge the verdict in the Rajasthan High Court.
“The court has sentenced Salman Khan to five years’ imprisonment and fined him 10,000 rupees (about 154 dollars)”, Mahipal Bishnoi said.
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Khan pleaded not guilty and has long maintained his innocence as the case has languished in legal limbo over the years. Soon after he killed the animals, all the actors left the scene after being spotted and chased. Salman’s jail sentence has created a wave of concern and worry in Bollywood, with the future of several projects featuring the star now in jeopardy. Witnesses are the eyes and ears of justice and the Bishnoi community, which reveres the endangered blackbuck, and complained and testified against the actor, deserves credit for staying the course.
