Bollywood star Salman Khan has been acquitted in the case of Illegal possession of arms by a court in the city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The court argued that the prosecution failed to prove that the ‘Sultan’ actor used firearms to kill endangered species of black bucks in 1998. Salman pleaded not guilty on all the charges and has been acquitted in two cases of poaching.
Detailed security arrangements were made in the court premises for the appearance of the actor. Nearly 150 policemen were deployed. The court clarified that at the time of the alleged poaching, Salman’s license was not renewed which does not mean it was expired. Salman during the announcement was in control of his emotions and maintained a neutral face. The actor before leaving the court room obliged the advocates with autographs. Salman arrived in the court at 11:45 am and remained in the court premises for hardly 15 minutes.
The fourth case on Salman is still pending to be heard. Salman was charged for killing two black bucks, a protected antelope species and illegal possession of firearms during the shoot of their movie ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ in Jodhpur in 1998. The original case was filed by the Bishnoi community in the state of Rajasthan, India, who worship the black bucks. Salman was convicted in two cases of poaching and sentenced him to five years in prison in 2006.
The sentence was suspended by the court the following year. Salman was also acquitted in the infamous case of hit n run in which a homeless man was killed in a driving accident in Mumbai. However, the state government has challenged the order in the Supreme Court.
Photo Credits: NDTV
