Blackbuck Case: Salman Convicted; Saif, Sonali, Tabu, Neelam Acquitted
The verdict in the 1998 Blackbuck Poaching Case has been announced. Salman Khan has been convicted while Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam Kothari have been let off
Yesterday, we told you
that Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam Kothari had
reached Jodhpur for the verdict of the 1998 Blackbuck Poaching Case.
Minutes ago, a
Jodhpur trial court convicted the superstar,
while acquitting others.
Salman has been charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife
Protection Act. Arguments in the quantum of punishment are still going on
inside the court, however, the superstar could get maximum imprisonment of 7
years.
There are two other accused in the case -- travel agent
Dushyant Singh and Dinesh Gawre, Salman's assistant at the time. Gawre is still
absconding.
It is said that Salman and some of his co-stars from Hum
Saath Saath Hain (1999) allegedly went on a hunt and killed an endangered
species of blackbuck. This happened when the crew was shooting for a segment of
the film in Jodhpur. There were mass protests by the Bishnoi community of the
area, and finally a case was lodged against the actors.
Image Source: APH Images
