Blackbuck poaching case: Salman Khan sentenced to 5 years jail

Salman Khan outside Jodhpur court. Pic/Pallav Paliwal

It seems like the time of reckoning has come for the stars indicted in the Blackbuck killing case. A 20-year-old case, the Jodhpur court has reached a verdict on Thursday, finding Salman Khan guilty and the others -- Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam have been acquitted. The actor is accused of killing two blackbucks in the Kankani village near Jodhpur in 1998 during the shooting of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain.

A Jodhpur court on Thursday convicted Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case and sentenced to jail for 5 years. A penalty of Rs 10,000 was also levied on him.

Salman Khan's bail application will be heard on Friday at 10:30 a.m. After a complete medical examination, he will be taken to the Jodhpur Central Jail, where he will spend the night with other high-profile inmates such as Asaram Bapu, Malkhan Singh Vishnoi and Shambhu Lal.

The court however, acquitted his colleagues Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre, a prosecution lawyer said. Salman Khan has been held guilty of killing two blackbucks in Kankani village near Jodhpur in October 1998 during the shooting of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain. A fifth person, Dushyant Singh, a local from the area, has also been acquitted, said Mahipal Bishnoi, the prosecution counsel.

Saif Ali Khan and Neelam Kothari outside Jodhpur Court. Pic/Pallav Paliwal

Final arguments of the case were completed in the trial court on March 28, after which Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri had reserved his judgment. Salman was facing charges under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. All the actors were in a Gypsy car on the night of October 1, 1998 that night, with Salman Khan in the driving seat. He spotted a herd of blackbucks and killed two of them, the lawyer said.

Sonali Bendre, Goldie Behl, Tabu outside Jodhpur court. Pic/Pallav Paliwal

According to reports sister Alivra Agnihotri was present with Salman Khan in the court. The actor was calm and composed during the sentencing

Also read: Salman Khan Found Guilty In Blackbuck Poaching Case: Here Is Complete Timeline

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