Blackbuck poaching case LIVE Updates: Salman Khan sentenced to jail for 5 years and penalty of Rs 10,000 levied

— By FPJ Web Desk | Apr 05, 2018 02:12 pm

In a massive setback to Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, the Jodhpur court has convicted him in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, the quantum of sentence for Salman Khan will be announced shortly. All the other accused, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu were acquitted by the court. A fifth person, Dushyant Singh, a local from the area, has also been acquitted. Salman Khan is accused of killing two blackbucks, also known as chinkara, in the Kankani village near Jodhpur in 1998 during the shooting of the film ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’.

The trial of the case has been in progress for the last 20 years and the judge reserved the order after the final arguments on March 28. Salman, who has been charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, may face six years imprisonment. The Jodhpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on March 25 under Jodhpur District Presiding Officer Devkumar Khatri issued the date for the judgment.

The other actors involved in this case are, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu. They have been charged under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.


The incident took place during the shooting of Hum Saath Saath Hain, Salman Khan went on an alleged hunting session with his co-stars and was accused of killing two blackbucks in Kankani in the intervening night of October 1-2, 1998. The killings angered the Bishnoi community, who protect wildlife with a zeal, and they filed a complaint against the actors and a local involved in the shooting. He was also charged for keeping an arm with an expired license and was charged under the Arms Act. Salman Khan was later acquitted in the arms case by a trial court.

Live updates

02.59 pm:

02.11 pm: Salman Khan sentenced to 5 years in Jail in poaching case and awarded a penalty of Rs 10,000

02.08 pm: Court Resumes hearing over Salman Khan’s sentence

12.55 pm: We’ll analyse the judgement. We want an immediate appeal to be filed against those who have been acquitted and we also demand maximum punishment for Salman Khan, says Rampal Bhawad, State President, Bishnoi Tigers Vanya Evam Paryavaran Sanstha. 

12.40 pm: The sentence has not been pronounced as of now, says Bhawani Singh, Public Prosecutor on blackbuck poaching case.

11.35 am: Argument on quantum of punishment is on. Salman Khan’s counsels are praying for probation, says NS Solanki, lawyer of Dushyant Singh who was co-accused in blackbuck poaching case.

11.25 am: Salman Khan convicted, others acquitted in 1998 blackbuck poaching case

11.15 am: Salman Khan, other actors in court, hearing begins.

10.58 am: Accused Sonali Bendre and Tabu arrive in court, verdict to be pronounced shortly.

10.56 am: Saif Ali Khan arrives in court.

10.55 am: Salman Khan arrives in court, hearing to begin shortly.

10.50 am: Salman Khan on which way to court.

10.35 am: Alvira Khan and Arpita Khan sister’s of Salman Khan have reached Jodhpur.

10.15 am: The court proceeding on poaching case will begin at 11:15 am.

10.05 am: Salman Khan will reach Jodhpur Court at 11 am, according to his lawyer

10.00 am: According to reports, Hastimal Saraswat, who is Salman Khan’s lawyer, has arrived at Jodhpur court

9.46 am: Judge arrives in court to deliver verdict on blackbuck poaching case.

9.39 am: “If they are found guilty then there is equal punishment for all. Maximum punishment will be for six years & minimum one year,’ says Saif Ali Khan,Neelam & Sonali Bendre’s lawyer.

9.30 am: Police personnel deployed outside Jodhpur court ahead of verdict in Blackbuck poaching case.