Court to hear Salman Khan's poaching appeal soon

Salman Khan’s long-running blackbuck poaching case is back in the spotlight as the court is set to hear his appeal against a five-year prison sentence. Justice Manoj Kumar Garg will oversee the proceedings, which will also address the Rajasthan Government’s request to challenge the acquittal of the other co-accused actors.

The case dates back to 1998, during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain, when Salman Khan was accused of killing two blackbucks—an endangered species considered sacred by the Bishnoi community—near Jodhpur in the Bawad area of Mathania. Alongside Salman, actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Neelam were also named in the case.

In 2018, a Jodhpur court found Salman Khan guilty and sentenced him to five years in prison, while acquitting the other accused. The Rajasthan Government later filed a petition to challenge their acquittal.

Prosecution lawyer Mahipal Bishnoi confirmed that both appeals—the actor’s and the states—will be heard together. He also mentioned that Salman’s legal team had earlier filed a request to transfer the case so both appeals could be reviewed together.

Salman, who has received death threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi over the issue, publicly commented on the case in 2023 on Aap Ki Adalat, saying, Our judiciary is capable. Whatever the decision, we will accept it.

The court’s hearing date could prove critical for all parties involved, as the case nears a decisive chapter.