All you need to know about the 20-year long blackbuck poaching case

A Jodhpur court on Thursday convicted Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the prolonged blackbuck poaching case. He was awarded a five-year jail term and a penalty of Rs.10,000. 

April 5, 2018 -  Jodhpur court convicted Salman Khan in the 1998 black buck poaching case and acquitted Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre.

March 28, 2018 - Final arguments of the case were completed in the trial court. Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri had reserved the judgment.

October 24, 2017 - Final arguments by the prosecution in the case against the actors were completed in a trial court.

September 13, 2017 - A trial court hears the final arguments in the case.

February 15, 2017 – Khan's lawyer refused to produce any evidence in defence saying all of them have already been produced in the court to prove his innocence.

Actor Salman Khan sent to jail for 5 years in #BlackBuckPoachingCase, a penalty of Rs 10,000 also levied on him. pic.twitter.com/ZgXbXBnvx4

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

January 27, 2017 – Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam gave their personal statements before a court in Jodhpur. The actors denied the charges read out to them by the judge.

January 25, 2017 - Jodhpur Court deferred hearing against Khan in poaching cases till January 27.

January 18, 2017- Jodhpur High Court acquits 51-year-old Salman Khan in Arms Act case. 

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: Rampal Bhawad, State President, Bishnoi Tigers Vanya Evam Paryavaran Sanstha #BlackBuckPoachingCase #Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/Jfn8Pf5Jdp

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

November 11, 2016 -  Supreme Court rules to hasten hearing on the poaching, agreeing to a plea by Rajasthan government to fast-track the case.

October 19, 2016 – Rajasthan government appeals to Supreme Court, challenging the High Court's decision to acquit Salman Khan in the poaching case.

July 25, 2016 – Salman Khan is acquitted by Rajasthan High Court saying that there was no evidence to prove that the black bucks hunted were shot by the actor's gun, the license of which had expired.

July 9, 2014 – A notice was issued to Salman Khan by the Supreme Court on Rajasthan government's plea challenging the High Court order which suspended his sentence.

November 5, 2014 – An SC bench comprising Justice SJ Mukhopadhyay and Justice AK Goel reserved its order saying the actor's conviction cannot be stayed simply because he is not able to procure a UK visa.

November 13, 2013 – Rajasthan High Court stayed the actor's sentence after which Khan got the UK visa for travelling abroad to shoot a film.

August 2013 – The actor was denied visa for the UK. The reasons were not specified for the rejection. 

December 2012 – Rajasthan High Court revised charges against Salman Khan and he was found guilty under Section 9/15 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

July 24, 2012 – Rajasthan High Court finalised charges against all the accused.

August 31, 2007 – Salman Khan was sentenced for five-year imprisonment which was subsequently suspended a week later.  He spent six days in Jodhpur Central Jail. Later, charges against him under the Arms Act was dropped by the Rajasthan High court.

August 24, 2007 – Session Court upheld the conviction, dismissing the actor's appeal.

April 10, 2007 – Salman Khan is convicted under Wildlife Protection Act by a trial court in Jodhpur. He was sentenced to five-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 25,000.

October 12, 1998 – Salman Khan was arrested for hunting endangered species but was granted bail after five days.

October 2, 1998 – Bishnoi villagers filed a complaint against Salman Khan and his co-stars.

September 28, 1998 – Khan allegedly hunted another Chinkara at Ghoda farms.

September 26, 1998 – Salman Khan was alleged to have hunted two Chinkaras (Black Buck), an endangered species at Bhawad, Jodhpur in Rajasthan.The incident is said to have taken place when actors Salman Khan, Tabu, Saif Ali Khan, Neelam and Sonali Bendre were present there to shoot 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'.