Jaipur : The Salman Khan blackbuck case returned to the spotlight on Tuesday as the Rajasthan High Court heard two crucial petitions related to the actor’s conviction and the acquittal of co-accused. The case, spanning over two decades, has drawn nationwide attention due to its high-profile nature and the involvement of Bollywood stars. Legal experts note that the court’s decision on these petitions could significantly impact the ongoing trial and set precedents for wildlife poaching cases in India.
Justice Sandeep Shah heard the matter, but the court adjourned after the public prosecutor requested more time. The court scheduled the next hearing eight weeks from now.
The case began in October 1998, during the shooting of the Bollywood film Hum Saath Saath Hain near Kankani village in Jodhpur. Salman Khan faced accusations of poaching a blackbuck, an endangered species protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. Members of the Bishnoi community, who consider the blackbuck sacred, filed the complaint and actively pursued justice. On April 5, 2018, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court in Jodhpur convicted Salman Khan under the Wildlife Protection Act, sentencing him to five years in prison and imposing a fine of Rs 25,000.
The court acquitted five co-accused—Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, Neelam, and Dushyant Singh—due to insufficient evidence. Authorities questioned all actors multiple times as the case progressed through various courts. Tuesday’s hearing addressed two major petitions: Salman Khan’s appeal challenging his conviction and the state government’s request for permission to appeal the co-accused acquittals.
Since the law does not automatically allow appeals in acquittal cases, the state government must first secure the High Court’s permission.
“The government believes the acquittals were unjustified and wants the High Court to re-examine the evidence,” said a legal source familiar with the matter.
The court combined both petitions for judicial efficiency, but it will hear further arguments after the eight-week adjournment.
The High Court first heard the case this year on February 14. On May 16, it ordered the case to be listed on July 28 along with Salman Khan’s appeal. During the third hearing on July 28, the court directed the District Sessions Judge, Jodhpur, to register Salman Khan’s appeal and list it for hearing on September 22.
The matter will resume later this year, unless further delays occur.
After the 1998 incident, the Bishnoi community relentlessly pursued the case and requested a memorial at the site where the blackbuck died. Authorities built the memorial, which now stands as a symbol of the community’s dedication to wildlife protection.
Legally, “leave to appeal” requires special permission to file an appeal, especially when someone has been acquitted. The prosecution cannot automatically appeal. The High Court must find sufficient legal grounds to review the lower court’s judgment. If the court grants leave, it converts the case into a regular appeal, allowing full arguments on the merits to proceed.
–IANS
