Guilty: Why Salman Khan is likely to go to jail in blackbuck case
One of Bollywood's biggest superstars, Salman Khan, was declared guilty for the killing of two blackbucks near Jodhpur in Rajasthan nearly 20 years ago. The 52-year-old actor, who has millions riding on him, was found guilty of hunting a blackbuck while working on the film Hum Saath Saath Hain in 1998.
Khan was accompanied in the court by sisters Alvira and Arpita. Other accused - Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam Kothari - were also present in the courtroom when the order was passed. All accused were charged under the Wildlife (Protection) Act. Saif, Tabu, Sonali and Neelam were reportedly present in the Gypsy car along with Salman during the alleged hunt in Kankani village near Jodhpur. The Gypsy was reportedly being driven by Harish Dulani, who testified against Salman.
Dulani, the prosecution's only witness in the poaching cases, was reported missing since 2002, which weakened the prosecution's case against the movie star.
The blackbuck is an endangered species and is protected under the Indian Wildlife Act. The alleged poaching took place near a village of Bishnois, a community that reveres blackbuck and is passionate about protecting the animal.
It is alleged that on the intervening night of October 1-2, 1998, the Bishnoi villagers heard gunshots and came out running from their huts. They allege that they chased the Gypsy that Salman was driving, and that the actor fled. Deer carcass was recovered from the spot from where the actors reportedly drove away. The Bishnois were key witnesses in the case against Salman and others. Two Bishnois - Poonamchand and Choogaram - allegedly witnessed actor Salman Khan standing on the jeep and shooting a blackbuck.
It was later that the two cases of September 26 and September 28, 1998 also came to light. Salman was accused of hunting two Chinkaras at Bhawad in Mathania near Jodhpur on September 26, 1998, and another Chinkara at Ghoda farms two days later on September 28.
Salman was charged with four count of poaching and one under the Arms Act in Jodhpur in October 1998.
In 2016, however, the Rajasthan High Court acquitted the actor. The high court had held that the pellets recovered from the Chinkaras were not fired from Khan's licensed gun.
Two days after the verdict, Dulani emerged and reiterate the charges against the actor. "I have been punished for being Salman's driver. I am living my life in fear," he said.
In 2017, under pressure, the Rajasthan government challenged the acquittal order.
The prosecution has demanded maximum punishment for Salman. Once the sentence is pronounced the actor will be taken to Jodhpur Central Jail, which currently houses three high-profile inmates - Asaram Bapu, Malkhan Singh Vishnoi and Shambhu Lal.
So far, Salman has spent 18 days in Jodhpur Jail in connection with the case. He was arrested by the Forest Department on October 12, 1998 and the court imprisoned him till October 17. When the trial court pronounced five-year imprisonment on April 10, 2006, Salman spent six days in jail. When the sessions court confirmed the sentence, Salman remained in jail from August 26 to 31, 2007.
The actor is not new to legal troubles. A Mumbai court sentenced Salman to five years in jail in 2015 for killing a man in a hit-and-run accident, and injuring others. Salman was alleged to have been driving in an inebriated condition the Toyota Land Cruiser that crashed into men sleeping on a pavement in Mumbai's Bandra, killing one.
Salman was, however, acquitted in the hit-and-run case.