There are blackbucks and Chinkaras in an alternate universe, who are celebrating right now. Nearly two decades after they were (allegedly?) bumped off the planet by a bunch of Bollywood actors including a certain Salman ‘Bhai’ Khan, the accused have been brought to justice. The Tiger Zinda Hai actor has been convicted for killing two blackbucks and 3 Chinkaras, on the sets of Hum Saath Saath Hai in Jodhpur.
The trial’s been ongoing for more than two decades, and of course most of us have forgotten about the chain events that led to today’s conviction. So here’s a timeline of all that’s occurred in Salman Khan’s blackbuck poaching case since 1998:
April 5, 2018: Convicted in the blackbuck hunting case, Salman Khan is sentenced to 5 years.
January, 2018: Salman Khan appears in Jodhpur court for final arguments.
July, 2016: Rajasthan HC acquits Salman Khan in the case involving the poaching of 2 Chinkaras.
January, 2015: Supreme Court sets aside Rajasthan High Court’s stay on the charges.
August, 2013: Salman Khan denied a work visa owing to the pending conviction charges.
December, 2012: The Rajasthan HC revises charges against Salman Khan and charges him under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
August 31, 2007: Having spent six days in Jodhpur Central Jail, Salman’s sentence is suspended by the Rajasthan High Court. He is ordered not to leave India unless without a formal permission, and arms charges are dropped against him.
August 24, 2007: The session court upholds the conviction, dismisses the actor’s appeal against the sentence.
April 10, 2006: Salman Khan is convicted for hunting two blackbucks and sentenced to five years under the Wildlife Protection Act. He was also fined Rs 5000
October 12, 1998: Salman is arrested for the first time on the hunting charges, and released on bail within five days.
October 2, 1998: A formal complaint is lodged against Salman Khan and four others by members of the Bishnoi community.
September 28, 1998: Salman is accused of also hunting another Chinkara at Ghoda farms, 2 days later.
September 26, 1998: While shooting for Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Saath Saath Hai, five actors namely – Salman Khan, Neelam, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu and Sonali Bendre are ‘seen’ hunting two blackbucks. Salman is also accused of hunting two Chinkaras in Mathania, Jodhpur.
