Actor Salman Khan
Actor Salman Khan was sentenced to five years of imprisonment by a court here on Thursday in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, while the other four co-accused stars -- Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu and Neelam -- were acquitted of all charges.
Many Bollywood celebrities including Jaya Bachchan, Arjun Rampal and others came forward in support of Salman. And now Baaghi 2 producer Sajid Nadiadwala headed to Jodhpur post Salman’s verdict in the blackbuck poaching case. Sajid organized a success bash for Baaghi 2 which entered the Rs 100 crore club on Wednesday.
Notably, producer canceled the success party of Tiger Shroff and Disha Patani starrer Baaghi 2 to head to Jodhpur.
Salman, was found guilty under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 for killing two blackbucks, an endangered species, hunting of which is prohibited by law. The incident took place in Kankani village near Jodhpur on October 1-2, 1998, during the shooting of Bollywood film "Hum Saath Saath Hain".
The actor is being taken to Jodhpur Central Jail. If the sentence was less than three years of jail, the actor could have applied for bail in the same court. However, he will now have to approach the sessions court for bail.
The actor's case was represented by defence counsel Hastimal Saraswat. The judgement was pronounced by Chief Justice Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri at a hearing attended by Salman's sisters Alvira and Arpita.
The trial of the case was in progress since the last 19 years and the judge in a court here had reserved the order after the final arguments on March 28.
