Live updates: Salman Khan sentenced to 5 years in prison, taken to Jodhpur Central Jail
Five others are acquitted
A Jodhpur court today convicted Bollywood star Salman Khan for killing two blackbucks in October 1998 but acquitted his colleagues Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre, a prosecution lawyer said.
The court announced that the actor would get five years for the killing, as well as a fine of Rs 10,000.
A fifth person, Dushyant Singh, a local from the area, has also been acquitted, Mahipal Bishnoi, the prosecution counsel, told reporters. (Here's a list of celebs who were in trouble with the law)
Salman was found guilty of killing the blackbucks, from the antelope family, in Kankani village near Jodhpur on the night of October 1, 1998 during the shooting of the film "Hum Saath Saath Hain".
While the media waited outside the heavily guarded court premises, arguments for the quantum of sentencing were continuing inside the courtroom, lawyers said.
Salman, who has been held guilty under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, faced a maximum punishment of six years. Here's all you need to know about the act.
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.
All the actors were in a Gypsy that night with Salman, 52, in the driving seat. He spotted a herd of blackbucks and killed two of them, the lawyer said.
Dressed in a black shirt, Salman reached the court earlier in the morning with his bodyguard. The other actors, some of them accompanied by their family members, were also in the courtroom when the verdict was read out
Here are the Live updates:
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We are happy for us but we are disappointed for Salman Khan. Justice has not been given properly in this case. I am feeling bad for him: Samir Soni, actor and husband of actress Neelam
Salman Khan at Jodhpur Central Jail
Salman Khan to spend the night in jail; bail application to be on Friday
Advocate Anand Desai of who is leading the legal battle for salman, says appeal is being filed in the HC and he will try and push for bail today itself.
Salman Khan being taken to jail, as his lawyers proceed for bail.
Salman Khan has been given five years for killing the blackbuck and will now have to apply for bail from a higher court.
Salman gets two years, which is a huge relief for him. He will be released on bail immediately.
Bishnoi Sabha, which had filed the blackbuck poaching case, has now decided to appeal against the acquittal of Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam Kothari, co-accused in the case, reports News18. Bishnois, a traditional community, is committed to protect the endangered animal and remains vigilant against poachers in the area.
Salman Khan's lawyer is arguing for a sentence below three years. If the sentence is below three years, then he can get bail
â–º As per law if sentence is one year, then he can get bail immediately from same court
â–º But if it is above 3 yrs then same court cannot give bail on appeal.
â–º He will have to move High Court. However, it is not necessary that the HC hears the plea immediately
Salman Khan convicted in blackbuck case. Others acquitted
Guilty under 9/11 of wildlife protection act, which means a jail sentence from anything between one and six years. So far, the quantum of punishment has not been announced
Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam arrive at Jodhpur court
Court to begin at 10 am. Salman Khan's lawyer Hastimal Saraswat has reached court.
Unprecedented security at court and on the entire route from Hotel Taj Harimahal, where Salman is staying to Court.
Why is this judgement so important
♦ This judgement is vital because this is the third poaching case against him in Jodhpur.
♦ In the first judgement - Bhawad case - he got 1 year sentence.
♦ In the second case - Ghoda Farm - he got 5 years as it became the second offence of same type.
♦ In case Salman is found guilty today in the third case (Kankani case) he will get a minimum sentence of 6 years (being considered as repeated offender)
♦ Interestingly - in the other two cases trial court found him guilty but High Court acquitted him.
Bail Bonds ready for Salman Khan ahead in case he is convincted.
Tight security outside the Jodhpur court
Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri has reached the court. Salman Khan and other accused will leave for the court at 10 am, and they are expected to reach at 10:15 am.
The district and sessions court at Jodhpur where the stars will appear.