Blackbuck poaching case conviction: Salman Khan gets five-year jail term

Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Thursday was found guilty of poaching the endangered blackbuck. The Jodhpur court awards five-year jail term for Salman Khan and a fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed.

In relation to the 1998 poaching incident in Jodhpur, four cases were filed against the actor. Of which, three cases - including the current one, were to do with violations of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, while the fourth was for an Arms Act violation where he was acquitted last year in January.

For poaching two chinkaras in  Bhawad village on September 26-27, 1998 and another one in the Mathania area on September 28-29, 1998, two separate cases had been registered against the actor under section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act.

In both the cases, he was convicted, with the trial court sentencing him to one year and five years in prison on February 17, 2006, and April 10, 2006, respectively.

While Salman Khan is likely to appeal against the verdict in the Rajasthan high court where his previous two related convictions were overturned, the verdict sentence could be between one and six years in prison.

If the sentence is less than three years in prison, Salman Khan would be eligible to move the same court for bail which he could do today itself. But since the quantum of sentence is five years, 

the actor has the option of filing an appeal in Sessions Court. Also, reports suggest that unless the sentence is suspended, he will spend tonight in jail.