(With inputs from agencies)

1998 Blackbuck Verdict: Salman Breaks Down, Consoled By Sister In Court







Autoplay Autoplay 1 of 6 Justice Served, 20 Yrs On! 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. Family Matters 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.



Saif, Safe, For Now 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. Not Without My Wife 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. Braving The Storm 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.



A Jodhpur court on Thursday sentenced Salman Khan to 5 year prison term in the 1998 blackbuck killing case. The actor has also been fined a penalty for Rs 10,000. He is being taken to Jodhpur Central Jail , where he will be spending the night.His bail plea hearing is scheduled for Friday morning. The actor is likely to appeal against the verdict in the Rajasthan High Court.Khan had earlier spent a total of 18 days in the Jodhpur jail in 1998, 2006 and 2007, all for cases of poaching.The 'Dabangg' star had a total of four cases against him related to the 1998 poaching incident. Three of these cases were to do with violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, while the fourth case, in which he was acquitted last year, was for an Arms Act violation.The blackbuck is an endangered species protected under the Indian Wildlife Act.His ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ co-stars, Saif Ali Khan Sonali Bendre , Neelam, who were co-accused, have been acquitted in the case. A fifth person, Dushyant Singh, a local businessman from the area, has also been acquitted. The Bishnoi Sabha has decided to appeal against these acquittals.Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri, while pronouncing the verdict in the case, called the actor a 'habitual offender'. Judge Khatri ruled that hence the actor has been convicted, while the others have been given the benefit of the doubt.The actor's lawyers had argued for probation and minimum sentence.The actor was facing charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The other actors were charged under Section 51 read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code.