The other four actors — Saif Ali, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu — are co-accused in the 19-year-old case and charged with abetment to poaching
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Jodhpur will pronounce the verdict in the 1998 black buck poaching case against actor Salman Khan and others on Thursday. The Bollywood star — accused of killing two black bucks, an endangered species, in the Kankani village near Jodhpur on the night of October 1, 1998 during the shooting of film 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' — arrived in Jodhpur on Wednesday.
The other four actors — Saif Ali, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu — are co-accused in the 19-year-old case and charged with abetment to poaching. They have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Salman reached Jodhpur in the company of his sisters Alvira and Arpita in the evening, while Saif, Sonali and Tabu reached earlier in the day. A visibly tensed Saif got into an altercation with the taxi driver at the airport, demanding that he pull up the window glass.
Salman and others had pleaded innocent and claimed they had been framed in the case.
Hearing in the case had been completed on March 28 and CJM Devkumar Khatri had set April 5 as the date to pronounce verdict.
Two witnesses who have testified in the case have gone on record to tell the court that the incident had taken place at around 2 am on October 1, 1998. The four stars had shouted at the sight of two blackbucks and edged Salman to shoot the black bucks and not let them get away. The court has charged the four stars of abetment under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
"We have faith in judiciary and hopeful to get justice," said KK Vyas, counsel for Neelam.
Salman's counsel Hastimal Saraswat said, "Prosecution is alleging that Salman hunted but these claims are not supported by evidence. This case against Salman is false and we have appealed to the judge to exonerate him."
SALMAN'S CASES
- Salman had been implicated in four cases; three for poaching and fourth under Arms Act.
- He has been acquitted in the two poaching cases by High Court and by trial court in the Arms Act case.
CASE 1
Bhavad Chinkara Case
Sept 26, 1998 (Salman alleged to have hunted two Chinkaras at Bhawad, Jodhpur)
STATUS – Sentenced to 1-year jail
Feb 2, 2006 – Acquitted by HC. State moves SC
CASE 2
Ghoda Farm case
Sept 28, 1998 (Salman allegedly hunted a Chinkara at Ghoda farm near Jodhpur)
STATUS – Sentenced to 5-year jail
April 10, 2006 - Acquitted by HC. State moves SC
CASE 3
Kankani Case
Oct 1, 1998 (Salman along with Saif, Neelam, Tabu and Sonali Bendre allegedly hunted two black bucks at Kankani village)
STATUS – The verdict to be pronounced on April 5 (today)
CASE 4
Arms Act Case (Salman faces charges of using unlicensed weapons for poaching)
STATUS – Acquitted by trial court; State appeals in High Court
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