The much awaited Jodhpur court verdict was finally out today. While hearing the 20 year old case of ‘Blackbuck poaching’, the court pronounced a verdict, which has shocked Bollywood fraternity. The court has convicted Salman Khan and the star was sentenced for five years of imprisonment. However, the rest of the actors – Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu were all acquitted by the court. Reportedly, the prosecution demanded six years of imprisonment for the star. Earlier, Salman, along with the rest, had reached the court to hear the verdict. The actor has been levied charges under the Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Earlier, in the year 2006, he had spent a week in jail, following a similar verdict, back then. However, the sentence was suspended by the Rajasthan HC.
The incident took place during the shooting of the movie ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’. Reportedly, Salman had killed two blackbucks. The complaint on blackbuck poaching was registered by the forest department on October 2, 1998. A total of seven members were included in the accused list. While in the year 2000, the CJM court recognized the case, it took six years for the court to frame the charges against the accused. Subsequently, the trial held up for seven years and in the year 2013, revised charges were framed against the accused; in the same year, the trial was begun in CJM court. The court has also fined Salman Khan for INR 10,000. The superstar is sent to Jodhpur Central Jail, which houses a number of sensational culprits.
Salman Khan’s lawyers have already moved a bail application at both the Sessions Court as well as Rajasthan HC. Bishnois community members were thronged to hear the verdict and have reportedly cheered on hearing the verdict of Salman Khan. While reacting to the case, Bishnoi community leaders maintained that they would analyze the judgment and would give immediate appeal against those, who were acquitted.
