JODHPUR: A trial court in Jodhpur pronounced its verdict on Thursday in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, convicting Salman Khan, as reported Times of India.
The actor has been sentenced to five years in prison, with INR 10,000 fine, while Bollywood stars Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam also accused in the case have been acquitted under section 9/51 of the Wildlife, reported CNN. Presently, the council is arguing for an early probation.
The actor will be spending the night in Jodhpur central jail, according to NDTV.
JUST IN: Actor Salman Khan convicted in 1998 blackbuck poaching case – TV channels pic.twitter.com/hGD9p9dLeX
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Salman had earlier plead innocence in the case, claiming that the blackbuck died of “natural causes”, and he was being “framed” on purpose. His defense counsel, H M Saraswat laid down his final arguments on March 28:
“Prosecution has failed to prove allegations against the accused and has engaged in tampering and fabricating evidences and documents as well as roping in fake witnesses to prove the case. It has even failed to prove that blackbucks were killed by gunshots. Hence such investigation cannot be trusted upon.”
Also present during the court proceedings were Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu, who have all been acquitted under a different charge.
The actors who were shooting their movie, Hum Saath Saath Hai, back in the day, have been accused of allegedly hunting down blackbucks on the night of October 1 and 2 that year, the act of which is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act. While Khan is facing charges under section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, the other actors have been charged under Section 51 read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code.
Salman Khan is currently busy shooting for Race 3.