1998 Blackbuck Poaching Case: Salman Khan Found Guilty, Others Let Off

A Jodhpur trial court has convicted actor Salman Khan in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, Hindustan Times has reported.

According to the report, other accused in the case - Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu - have been acquitted.

The court, however, did not announce the quantum of punishment. According to NS Solanki, a co-accused's lawyer, "Argument on the quantum of punishment is on. Salman Khan's counsels are praying for probation".

Khan, along with other actors, was accused of hunting down two blackbucks in Kankani village near Jodhpur in October 1998 during the shooting of the film 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. In his defence, Khan claimed before the court that the blackbucks died of "natural causes" and he was being "framed".

He has been charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The maximum punishment under Section 51 is six years.