Dabangg Actor Salman Khan will have to be present in a Jodhpur on April 5, not for shooting an upcoming project (film) but for judgement in the poaching case against him, which involves the killing of two blackbucks. Actors Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam, who are charged with being present with Salman Khan in the Gypsy that he allegedly used for the hunt, will also have to appear in court on April 5, 2018.
The decision on sentence or relief for film actor Salman Khan will be pronounced on April 5, in the widely known Kankani Deer Hunting case. For this around 20 years old case, on this Wednesday (March 28, 2018), the court of Jodhpur CJM Rural (Chief Judicial Magistrate Rural) Dev Kumar Khatri has reserved the judgment for April 5.
In 1998, Salman was in Jodhpur for shooting of his movie ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’. Salman Khan was charged with four cases for poaching and one under the Arms Act in Jodhpur in September-October 1998. The Black Buck Poaching Case dates back to the night of October 2, 1998, when Salman Khan allegedly shot two blackbucks in Kankani village, Luni Tehsil of Jodhpur. He also had other actors in the film. It is alleged that Salman hunted deer at Ghoda Farm House and Bhavad village on 27-28 September night. On October 2, at Kankani village, Actor is accused of hunting black deer.
The alleged poaching took place near an area inhabited by the Bishnois, a traditional community that protects the deer and remains vigilant against poachers in the area.
On event date, the villagers, on hearing gunshots, came out running. They allege that they even chased the Gypsy that Salman Khan was driving and that the actor fled the scene, leaving the carcass behind. The Bishnois were key witnesses in this case against Salman Khan.
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The blackbuck is an endangered species and is protected under Schedule 1 of the Indian Wildlife Act. The punishment for hunting blackbuck can be up to six years in jail.
Salman Khan was charged with four cases for poaching and one under the Arms Act in Jodhpur in September-October 1998. But his lawyers claim there is no forensic evidence to prove the deer were hunted by guns and killed.
During the debate in the court on this Wednesday, Public Prosecutor Bhavani Singh presented the answer on the legal points. With this, the final debate of all parties was fulfilled. Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Dushyant Singh are also accused in this case with film actor Salman. Advocates of all accused including Salman’s advocate Hastimal Saraswat were present in the court on Wednesday.
Salman Khan lawyer Hastimal Saraswat said in media that, “The prosecution is alleging that Salman hunted and shot a deer, but there is no evidence of a gun being used and in the bodies of the deer no bullets were found. So how can they claim the deer were shot, and also in the second post-mortem shooting by a gun was not proved. This case against Salman is false, and we have appealed to the judge to exonerate him”.
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Cases Sentenced and Remaining Against Salman Khan In Jodhpur?
1) Kankani Village Case: In this case court will pronounce the verdict on April 5, 2018.
2) Ghoda FarmHouse Case (घोड़ा फार्म हाउस केस): On April 10, 2006, the CJM Court had sentenced to 5 years. Salman went to High Court. He was acquitted on July 25, 2016. The state government has appealed against this decision in the Supreme Court.
3) Bhavad village case (भवाद गांव केस): CJM Court convicted Salman on February 17, 2006, and sentenced to one year’s sentence. The High Court has acquitted Salman in this case too. The state government has appealed against the verdict in the Supreme Court.
4) Arms Case: On January 18, 2017, the court acquitted Salman. The state government has appealed against this decision in the high court.
