Salman Khan convicted in blackbuck poaching case: As it happened on April 5, 2018

The other four actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam, have been acquitted in the case.

Pic courtesy: PTI

Jodhpur: A court on Thursday convicted superstar Salman Khan and sentenced him to five years in prison for killing two blackbucks, capping a 20-year case that began with a late night safari outside Jodhpur on the sidelines of a film shoot. The court acquitted his Bollywood colleagues Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre and a local, Dushyant Singh, giving them the "benefit of doubt" for the incident in October 1998. 

This is Salman's fourth stint in the Jodhpur Central Jail. He had earlier spent a total of 18 days in the jail in 1998, 2006 and 2007, all for cases of poaching.

Final arguments in the blackbuck case were completed in the trial court on March 28. In his verdict, Khatri also imposed a Rs 10,000 fine after finding him guilty under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, which prescribes a maximum punishment of six years behind bars.

05 April 2018

17:41 PM

Statement by Salman Khan's lawyer Anand Desai: 

We respect the decision of the Hon'ble court. While we are studying the judgement it just came as a surprise, as the entire investigation and facts of this case were the same as those for which Salman has been acquitted by the Hon'ble High Court of Rajasthan in two cases and even by the Hon'ble CJM in the Arms Act matter for the alleged offence on the very same night as is the subject matter of the present case. Also, in the present case, the Hon'ble court has acquitted all the five co-accused which would imply that Salman was out hunting alone in the middle of the night in a remote area outside Jodhpur. We have preferred an appeal to the Hon'ble Sessions Court and applied for an urgent hearing today (Thursday). The Hon'ble Sessions Court will hear the appeal for suspension of the sentence/bail at 10:30 tomorrow (Friday). 

16:56 PM

Rajasthan: #SalmanKhan in Jodhpur Central Jail premises. #BlackBuckPoachingCase pic.twitter.com/9b8NIEQEpy

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

16:37 PM

I am extremely shocked to hear @BeingSalmanKhan being convicted by session court but also having full trust in indian judiciary which has many other doors to appeal for final justice whatsoever. Since He is most loved person by industry N people for his human reasons too.

— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) April 5, 2018

16:24 PM

We are happy for us but we are disappointed for #SalmanKhan. Justice has not been given properly in this case. I am feeling bad for him: Samir Soni, actor and husband of actress Neelam #BlackbuckPoachingCase pic.twitter.com/V65Dm9rkGY

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

15:51 PM

Very sad day @BeingSalmanKhan got convicted.. others got cleared .. v v sad .. hope fully he will get bail .. m n entire industry is with him .. my prayers is with him n family

— Anil Sharma (@Anilsharma_dir) April 5, 2018

Hopefully @BeingSalmanKhan will get bail today .. gd news for fans n film industry

— Anil Sharma (@Anilsharma_dir) April 5, 2018

15:50 PM

Visuals of #SalmanKhan at Jodhpur Central Jail. #BlackBuckPoachingCase pic.twitter.com/Q3NbMqkxhk

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

15:14 PM

Contrasting scenes were witnessed outside Jodhpur Sessions Court after the verdict was announced. While the fans rued the verdict, members of Bishnoi community gathered to celebrate a decision they termed just. Many fans of the actor who had gathered outside the court from across the country, broke down after the sentencing. Details here. 

15:09 PM

It will take at least two more hours for the detailed order copy to be received. His lawyers will be able to file for his bail only after they get the order of the copy from the sessions court.

14:51 PM

Salman Khan has been taken in the police car to the Jodhpur Central jail. He will be spending the night in jail in barrack number one. He will be first taken to the hospital for medical examination.

14:21 PM

Preparations are underway to send Salman Khan to the Jodhpur Central jail, Mahipal Bishnoi, the prosecution counsel said. Salman has been taken into custody.

14:20 PM

Soon after the sentencing was announced Bishnoi Samaj members raised slogans in favour of the verdict. The members of this community have been protesting against Salman for 20 years since the case came to light and have been appealing for maximum punishment for the actor.

14:13 PM

Salman Khan's lawyers are ready with the appeal. Salman and his sisters got emotional soon after the verdict was announced.

14:13 PM

Huge setback for Salman

Salman Khan has been sentenced to five years in jail and fined Rs 10,000. He will not be able to apply for bail in the same sessions court. 

12:58 PM

Bishnoi Tigers Vanya Evam Paryavaran Sanstha has said that they will appeal against the acquittal of the others in the poaching case. "We'll analyse the judgement. We want an immediate appeal to be filed against those who have been acquitted and we also demand maximum punishment for Salman Khan," Rampal Bhawad, State President, Bishnoi Tigers Vanya Evam Paryavaran Sanstha said.

12:24 PM

Correction: The arguments for sentencing have been completed but the sentence has NOT been announced yet. The prosecution has argued for a maximum punishment while the defence counsel has pleaded that he has already faced a lot of trauma so should get a lesser punishment.

12:17 PM

Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre have left the court after the legal procedures against them in the case were completed. They are likely to board a flight to Mumbai soon. Salman will have to stay in court till the sentencing against him is announced.

12:11 PM

As per Zee News sources, the arguments for Salman's sentencing have concluded and the judges have left the court. The order will be announced today. Salman has been convicted under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

11:47 AM

Along with the other four actors, a fifth person, Dushyant Singh who was a local from the area, has also been acquitted in the case.

11:45 AM

The court has given one hour each to both parties in connection with the sentencing for Salman Khan. The court is likely to announce the decision regarding the quantum of punishment post noon. Salman will have to be present in court till the time the judge announces the order.

11:44 AM

The argument on the sentencing for Salman Khan is underway. Salman's counsels are praying for probation in the court. He faces a maximum of six years in jail in connection with the case.

11:37 AM

The court gave Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam the benefit of doubt and acquitted the four actors while holding Salman guilty.

11:28 AM

The judge found 'ample evidence in court' against Salman Khan to convict him in the case.

11:25 AM

Salman Khan held guilty

Salman Khan has been convicted in the blackbuck poaching case, while the four other actors have been acquitted.

11:08 AM

All the five actors accused in the blackbuck poaching case - Salman, Saif, Tabu, Neelam, Sonali Bendre - have reached court. The process of the hearing in court has begun. 

Jodhpur: Accused Sonali Bendre & Tabu arrive in court, verdict in #BlackBuckPoachingCase to be pronounced shortly. pic.twitter.com/jEXXkPyX2E

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

11:04 AM

Dressed in a black shirt, faded denim jeans, actor Salman Khan has reached the court. Actors Saif Ali Khan, Neelam with her husband Samir Soni are also in court.

Jodhpur: Salman Khan arrives at court, verdict in #BlackBuckPoachingCase to be pronounced shortly. pic.twitter.com/FpJPSRRY2r

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

10:51 AM

Salman Khan has left for court, hearing in the case is set to begin shortly. If convicted, Salman faces a maximum term of six years and a minimum of 1 year in jail. Salman's sisters, who left the hotel before him, have reached the court for the hearing. 

10:49 AM

Local lawyers in Jodhpur court have complained that Salman and other actors are being given VIP treatment. The lawyers have also complained that their entry to the court is being barred due to the treatment being given to the actors.

10:42 AM

Salman's sisters Arpita and Alvira Khan have left the hotel to reach the court. Salman is also likely to leave his hotel shortly. The distance between the hotel and the court will take nearly 10-15 minutes to cover.

10:39 AM

Salman Khan is staying in Taj Vivanta hotel in Jodhpur. There is heavy police deployment outside the hotel too. SP Swati Sharma is monitoring the law and order situation in the area.

10:37 AM

Earlier in the day, Salman's father Salim Khan went on a morning walk where he refused to take questions on the verdict. He said that he will react after the vedict is announced. On Wednesday, Salman's sister Arpita Khan and actor Katrina Kaif went to the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai.

10:28 AM

For Saif Ali Khan, his film titled Baazaar co-starring Chitrangada Singh and Radhika Apte is slated to release soon. As per reports, he also has a film titled Jugabandi with Parineeti Chopra. Read details of his upcoming movies here.

10:24 AM

If the actors are convicted in this case, the producers of their upcoming films may face a tough time completing the projects that are already in the pipeline featuring these stars. The stakes are pretty high for Salman. He is shooting for Remo D'Souza's Race 3, a film which is scheduled to hit theatres on June 15 on the occasion of Eid. He also has Atul Agnihotri's Bharat to be directed by Ali Abbas Zafar in his kitty. After Bharat, Salman will begin shooting for the third instalment of blockbuster franchise Dabangg co-starring Sonakshi Sinha. Read details of his upcoming movies here.

10:22 AM

The verdict is likely to be announced at around 11:30 am today. Salman is also likely to reach the Jodhpur court shortly. Elaborate security arrangements are in place in and outside the court premises ahead of the verdict.

09:58 AM

Salman's counsel also claimed that the prosecution engaged in tampering and fabricating evidence as well as roping in fake witnesses to prove its case. "It even failed to prove that the blackbucks were killed by gunshots. Hence, such investigation cannot be trusted," Salman's counsel had said.

09:55 AM

Salman's lawyer HM Saraswat has arrived in court. He has denied all allegations against the actor saying that there were several loopholes in the prosecution's story. He had also claimed that the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond any doubt.

09:54 AM

Heavy police deployment outside the Jodhpur court ahead of the verdict.

Jodhpur: Police personnel deployed outside Jodhpur court ahead of verdict in Blackbuck poaching case. Saif Ali Khan,Neelam & Sonali Bendre's lawyer says,'if they are found guilty then there is equal punishment for all. Maximum punishment will be for six years & minimum one year.' pic.twitter.com/omRMnr3Weh

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

09:54 AM

Public Prosecutor Bhawani Singh Bhati had said that all of them were in a Gypsy car that night, with Salman in the driving seat. He also said that when Salman spotted a herd of black bucks, he shot at and killed two of them. But on being spotted and chased, they fled from the spot leaving the dead animals there. The Public Prosecutor had said that there was adequate evidence against them.

09:50 AM

Salman Khan is accused of killing two blackbucks in Bhagoda ki Dhani in Kankani village near Jodhpur on October 2, 1998, during the shooting of the movie 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. He is facing charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act for which the maximum punishment is six years. The other actors have been charged under Section 51 read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code.

09:47 AM

The judge as well as the main witness in the case, have reached the Jodhpur court. Salman is expected to leave his hotel for the court at 10 am. The hearing in the case will begin at 10:30 am today.

09:45 AM

Soon after arriving in Jodhpur, actor Saif courted controversy when a video of him speaking rudely to his driver went viral. In the video, Saif can be heard using rough language and asking his driver to roll up the car's window-panes and reverse as a crowd gathers around his vehicle. He was heard saying: "Bhaisaab, sheesha upar karo aur reverse karo, varna padhegi ek."

09:42 AM

Salman Khan and all the other actors accused in the case reached Jodhpur on Wednesday for the verdict that is likely to be pronounced today. The 52-year-old actor arrived from Mumbai in a chartered flight.