Salman Khan acquitted in blackbuck, chinkara poaching case

Rajasthan High Court's verdict nullifies lower court's imprisonment order, which was handed to him

The Rajasthan High Court on Monday acquitted Bollywood start Salman Khan in two separate poaching cases that involved the killings of a black buck and a chinkara. 

“Looking at the evidence and circumstances, the appeal by Salman Khan has been allowed while the prosecution’s plea has been rejected,” the actor’s lawyer, told Times Now. On prospects of a re-appeal by the prosecution in a higher court, he said, “The state has the right to appeal in the Supreme Court.” 

A lower court in Rajasthan had handed him one- and five-year imprisonment sentences in the cases. The actor had appealed to the High Court later.

Case file

The actor, along with seven others, was accused of killing a blackbuck and a chinkara in 1998. Khan was shooting for the film 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' in the state when the two separate incidents is said to have taken place. One of the animals was killed on Jodhpur's outskirts — Bhawad — on September 26, 1998. The other anmial was reportedly killed at Ghoda Farms, two days later.