The night at Kankani village 20 years ago that still haunts Salman Khan
Twenty years on, the actor's past caught up with him.
By ET Online | Updated:
Salman Khan convicted in Black Buck Poaching Case by Jodhpur Court
NEW DELHI: What happened—or did not—at the intervening night of October 1 and 2 on 1998 in a village called Kankani near Jodhpur in Rajasthan has haunted Salman Khan and many of his co-actors for two decades. On Thursday a trial court pronounced the final verdict in the case, where Salman was convicted and other actors walked free. Earlier, Salman was acquitted in two more cases of killing of chinkaras and an arms case and his acquittal in the chinkaras case was challenged by the prosecution.
Here's what is claimed to have happened on the night that haunts Salman: Salman and his co-actors Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Sonali Bendre and Tabu were in Jodhpur for the shooting of the Sooraj Barjatiya film 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'.
Salman and his co-stars allegedly went on a hunting session in Bhagoda ki Dhani in Kankani village and killed two blackbucks. Poonamchand Bishnoi, a local from the Bishnoi community that protects blackbucks for religious reasons, claims that he had gone out to answer the nature's call when he heard gunshots. He claims he saw the headlights of a jeep and noticed Salman and Saif in the front seats and Tabu, Neelam and Bendre in the back seats. Bishnoi claims that he heard Salman's co-actors telling him to shoot at a herd of blackbucks which Salman did. He killed two blackbucks, the witness alleges. All allegedly fled the spot when spotted by Bishnoi, leaving behind the carcasses of the blackbucks. Bishnoi claims he noted down the number of the jeep and informed the forest department. The forest department recovered the carcasses of black bucks. A forensic report said that the blood samples obtained from Salman's car matched with those of black bucks.
1998 Blackbuck Verdict: Salman Breaks Down, Consoled By Sister In Court
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Salman Khan made headlines on Thursday as he was sentenced to five years in prison by a Jodhpur court for his role in the blackbuck killing case of 1998. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Dev Kumar Khatri, while announcing the verdict, called the actor a 'habitual offender'.
Salman, dressed in a black shirt and jeans, was seen arriving in court wearing dark glasses. He was flanked by his regular bodyguard Shera, even as 200 cops were deployed to provide security outside the court premises.
Salman Khan made headlines on Thursday as he was sentenced to five years in prison by a Jodhpur court for his role in the blackbuck killing case of 1998. The Chief Judicial Magistrate, Dev Kumar Kh..
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Women of the Khan family showed up in full support during the court proceedings. Times Now also reported that the sisters Arpita (left) and Alvira Khan were sitting right next to him through the hearing. Alvira, who is married to actor-turned-producer Atul Agnihoti, reportedly consoled him while the judge read the sentence out.
Women of the Khan family showed up in full support during the court proceedings. Times Now also reported that the sisters Arpita (left) and Alvira Khan were sitting right next to him through the hear..
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For fellow actor Saif Ali Khan, also accused along with Salman, there was some relief. Chhote Nawab, dressed in white, was seen minus wife Kareena during his court appearance. Saif had starred as Salman's younger brother in the Sooraj Barjatya family drama 'Hum Saath Saath Hai'. The incident had occurred in 1998 when the stars were shooting in Jodhpur for the film.
For fellow actor Saif Ali Khan, also accused along with Salman, there was some relief. Chhote Nawab, dressed in white, was seen minus wife Kareena during his court appearance. Saif had starred as Sal..
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Sonali Bendre, who was also a co-accused in the case, arrived in court, wearing a printed, pastel-blue kurta with palazzo pants. The model-turned-actress had producer-husband Goldie Behl by her side in court. Bendre had starred as Salman's love interest in the Barjatya family drama.
Sonali Bendre, who was also a co-accused in the case, arrived in court, wearing a printed, pastel-blue kurta with palazzo pants. The model-turned-actress had producer-husband Goldie Behl by her side ..
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Thursday brought relief for Tabu, another co-accused in the case. The 'Maqbool' actress, who was clad in a black chudidaar-kurta with a gumcha-style dupatta, had a sombre look while entering the court premises. Tabu had starred as Salman's sister-in-law in the film, during the shoot of which the incident had occurred.
Thursday brought relief for Tabu, another co-accused in the case. The 'Maqbool' actress, who was clad in a black chudidaar-kurta with a gumcha-style dupatta, had a sombre look while entering the cour..
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For yesteryear actress Neelam Kothari, the verdict brought much relief. Her husband Samir Soni hailed the verdict. However, in a phone interview to Times Now, he expressed surprise at one person being singled out. "I'm happy for Neelam and the rest of us, but very disappointed for Salman," he said.
Neelam was seen attending the court in an orange kurta with white chudidaar. Soni replicated Salman Khan in black t-shirt and blue jeans.
For yesteryear actress Neelam Kothari, the verdict brought much relief. Her husband Samir Soni hailed the verdict. However, in a phone interview to Times Now, he expressed surprise at one person bein..
However, the defence claims the account is fabricated, evidence tampered and witnesses fake. The defence has pointed out several loopholes. It claims the prosecution has failed to prove that the black bucks were killed by gun shots.
