I am Innocent your honour Says Salman Khan in Jodhpur court
JODHPUR : Salman Khan told a court in Rajasthan today that he has been falsely accused of killing blackbuck deer during a film shoot in 1998. “I am innocent,” he reportedly said in a Jodhpur court where his co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam were also present as co-accused.
Salman Khan has faced multiple cases over the years linked to the killing of two blackbuck and two chinkara in the alleged deer hunt while filming the movie “Hum Saath Saath Hain”. The other actors are accused of instigating him.
Saif Ali Khan arrives at the Jodhpur court to record his statement in the blackbuck case.The court had earlier asked them to appear on January 25, but the actors had asked for more time citing extra security a day ahead of Republic Day.
Salman Khan, 51, was charged with killing two blackbucks – an endangered species – during an alleged hunt near Jodhpur while the entire team was on a shoot for the movie ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ in 1998.The prosecution has produced 28 witnesses.
Last week, Salman Khan was let off in an Arms Act case linked to the poaching. He was accused of keeping and using an unlicenced weapon but the court acquitted him of the charge, giving him the benefit of doubt based on weak evidence.
The Rajasthan High Court had last year acquitted the actor in two cases related to the hunting of chinkara deer.Last year, the actor’s five-year jail term in a hit-and-run case was suspended by the Bombay High Court. He had been convicted of driving his SUV drunk and running over a homeless man in September 2002.
After being acquitted in the Arms Act case – last week – linked to the killing of a blackbuck 18 years ago, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has reportedly left the Jodhpur court after recording his statement in the much-talked-about poaching case.
According to CNN-News18, the 51-year-old star has now left Jodhpur court. Also, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam, and Tabu were there inside the court premises to record their respective statements.
During the shooting of filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya`s movie, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Salman Khan allegedly went on a shooting expedition along with actors Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Sonali Bendre and Tabu, killing two blackbucks in Kankani village.
Following protests by the local Bishnoi community, a case was filed against Salman Khan and other actors, besides a local named Dushyant Singh.
