Blackbuck poaching case: Jodhpur Court acquits Salman Khan on fake affidavit charges

By Vandana Srivastawa

on June 17, 2019

In a major development in the blackbuck poaching case, Salman Khan has been acquitted by a Jodhpur Session Court from the charge of submitting a fake affidavit in the 1998 case. Reportedly, in the affidavit, it was stated that the actor had lost the license documents of his weapons while they were sent for renewal. Salman’s lawyers had argued that it was not the actor’s intention to submit a false affidavit. Salman was charged with producing fake affidavit in the court.

Salman’s counsel Hastimal Sarswat had argued that the license was missing when the actor was asked to submit it. In an earlier interview with Tribune, the lawyer said, “Hence it is not expedient in the interest of justice to proceed against Salman as it is a bonafide mistake of his client. Licence was submitted to the Police Commissioner in Mumbai, and Deputy Commissioner of Police has made the statement in the court also."

Jodhpur Court acquits Salman Khan in case against him for submitting fake affidavit in the black buck poaching case that he lost the license documents of his weapons, though the license were sent for renewal. Salman's counsel argued his intention wasn't to submit false affidavit pic.twitter.com/KtduJXhTyq

— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2019

For the unversed, four cases were registered against Salman in 1998. Three of them were in connection with the blackbuck poaching case while one was under the Arms Act. Salman was the sole actor who was convicted of blackbuck poaching in Kankani village near Jodhpur. The court had sentenced Salman to five years of imprisonment in the case. However, actors who were accused in the case like Neelam Kothari, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Dushyant Singh were acquitted but a fresh notice has been issued by the Rajasthan High Court challenging their acquittal. Salman is currently out on bail.

In April, on Salman’s appeal against the decision of the CJM Court he hearing was postponed to July 4. Salman has been asked to be present in the court during the hearing. The appeal was submitted in lieu of senior advocate Mahesh Boda’s ill health.

(Source: PeepingMoon)