Salman Khan has been sent to Jodhpur Central Jail after being found guilty of killing two blackbucks.
Actor Salman Khan has been sentenced to 5 years in jail in the two-decade-old
blackbuck poaching case. The 52-year-old actor was found guilty of hunting blackbuck while working on the film "Hum Saath Saath Hain" in 1998. He was present in the Jodhpur court today along with his co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam. His co-actors from the movie -
Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam - have been acquitted in the case.
The blackbuck is an endangered species and is protected under the Indian Wildlife Act. The poaching had taken place near a village of Bishnois, a community that revers blackbuck and is passionate about protecting these animals.
Here are the live updates on the blackbuck poaching case:
Jaya Bachchan upset over Salman Khan's jail sentence
Jaya Bachchan, who took oath for her second stint as Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, is sad over Salman Khan being sent to jail in the blackbuck poaching case. "The law is taking its course," said Ms Bachchan, while mentioning that the actor has also "done a lot of good work."
Actor Neelam's Husband On Blackbuck Case Verdict
"I am happy for us but we are disappointed for #SalmanKhan. Justice has not been given properly in this case. I am feeling bad for him," says Actor Samir Soni, husband of Neelam Kothari, one the co-accused acquitted in the case.
Bangladeshi Author Taslima Nasreen On The Blackbuck Poaching Case
"Killing endangered animals is a crime. But 5 years imprisonment for it is too much. Fine him (Salman Khan) Rs 5 crores and let him go," Taslima Nasreen says on Twitter.
Actor Arjun Rampal Says Salman Khan's Sentence "Too Harsh"
"The law takes its course. Can't argue it. But at this point in time I just feel helpless and my heart goes out to @BeingSalmanKhan and his family. Reason, cause the last thing @BeingSalmanKhan is, is a criminal. I feel this is too harsh. I do hope he gets the relief he deserves," Arjun Rampal says on Twitter.
Salman Khan has been taken to the Jodhpur Central Jail. His bail application will be heard tomorrow.
Salman Khan has reached Jodhpur central jail. The actor is likely to spend the night in jail. Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu is also lodged in the same jail. The actor's bail application will be heard tomorrow.
"The eye witness, expert evidence and DNA report count as clinching evidence. The verdict is all based on this. The appeal is being filed based on the copy given to them. They have the right to file the plea and there is time till 5 pm," prosecution lawyer Mahipal Bishnoi said.
The bail application will be heard tomorrow. They have denied hearing it today. The order copy have been attached with the bail plea," a lawyer said.
Salman Khan is being taken to Jodhpur central jail. The actor will spend the night in jail if his bail plea is not accepted by the judge. The session court has asked for a copy of the order. The court will shut don at 5 pm.
Salman Khan being brought out of Jodhpur Court
Rs 400-600 Crore Riding On Salman Khan: Trade AnalystsSalman Khan has Rs 400 to Rs 600 crore riding on him in the industry and the verdict will affect three major film projects, according to trade analysts.
The 52-year-old actor was in the middle of shooting "Race 3" but it is not clear whether his work is complete on the film, being directed by Remo D'Souza, reports news agency PTI.
"Whatever is left of 'Race 3' will have to be completed soon because the film is releasing in June. 'Kick 2', 'Dabangg 3' and 'Bharat' were yet to start so there isn't much monetary loss. It is a huge loss to the industry and trade as he is a big star who guarantees big success," trade analyst Komal Nahta told PTI.
- Preparations for sending Salman to the Jodhpur Central jail are in place, Mahipal Bishnoi, the prosecution counsel, told reporters.
- The judgment is 196-page long.
- Salman Khan will serve a simple prison sentence.
- His lawyers have moved for his bail application
- His bail plea needs to be accepted by 5 pm, else the actor will spend the night in jail.
Heavy security outside court
There is heavy security at the court. Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and police in riot gear has been stationed at the court premises.
Bishnoi community members can be heard celebrating the sentence. The community has been the primary complainant in the case.
Salman Khan sentenceed to 5 years in jail
Salman Khan has been awarded 5 years in jail by the court. A penalty of Rs 10,000 has also been levied on him. The actor will be going to central jail in Jodhpur. Salman Khan will be lodged in the same block where rape accused self-styled godman Asaram has been kept.
Salman Khan's lawyer has finished arguing. Quantum of sentence expected in some time.
"This case was registered because of Bishnoi community efforts. We had to do dharna to get the report lodged," said Gen Secy of Bishnoi Tiger Force.
Over nearly two decades, Salman Khan had argued variously that he was not armed, that he had an air gun that doesn't kill. Reports that the animals died of "overeating" and that they were killed by dogs were also submitted in court.
There were 28 witnesses in the case, including Bishnoi villagers who came out running from their huts on hearing gunshots.
Salman Khan was in court for the verdict in what is known to be his "lucky" black shirt. His lawyers are pleading for a lesser sentence. If he is sent to jail for less than three years, he can apply for bail.
Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam have been acquitted by the court.
Salman Khan's lawyer pleads for lesser sentence
Salman's lawyer Hastimal Saraswat is arguing for a shorter quantum of sentence. If he gets under three years, he can apply for bail right here. If he gets a sentence for more than 3 years, he will have to apply for bail in the sessions/high court.
Salman Khan, one of India's biggest stars, has been found guilty of the killing of two blackbuck near Jodhpur in Rajasthan nearly 20 years ago. The 52-year-old actor was found guilty of hunting blackbuck while working on the film "Hum Saath Saath Hain" in 1998. He was present in the Jodhpur court today along with his co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam. Salman Khan and the other actors were facing charges under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
Salman Khan has arrived at the court. If found guilty, the actor could face upto 6 years in prison. Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam are also accused in the case and could face a similar jail term. All the actors have arrived at the court.
Salman Khan's sisters Alvira and Arpita have arrived at the court.
There is huge security in the court. Emergency response team and women commandoes have been stationed at the court premises.
Salman Khan is expected to arrive around 11 amChief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri will deliver the verdict today. Salman Khan is expected to arrive around 11 am.
Salman Khan lawyer praying ahead of verdict
Several cops in plain clothes are present at the court
If Salman Khan is convicted, he could face up to six years in jail.
Salman Khan's lawyer Hastimal Saraswat has reached court
Police personnel deployed outside Jodhpur court ahead of verdict
Accused local has reached courtDushyant Singh, a local from jodhpur and one of the accused in the case, has reached court.
He was present with Salman Khan in the gypsy allegedly used during the hunting
He allegedly identified the places and took the actors for hunting
Salman Khan was accused of killing two black bucks on October 2, 1998 in Kankani village in Jodhpur during the shooting of "Hum Saath Saath Hain". Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, and Tabu, who were also shooting for the film, are the co-accused in the case.
Salman Khan is facing charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, while the other actors have been charged under Section 51 read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. Maximum punishment under Section 51 is six years.
The final arguments in the case were completed in a Jodhpur rural court on March 28. Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri had reserved the judgment for April 5
All accused reached Jodhpur on Wednesday and will be present in court today for the verdict.
Apart from Salman Khan, his co-actors from the film, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam are also accused in the case. They were present in the vehicle Salman Khan allegedly used for hunting the blackbuck in Kankani village near Jodhpur.