Salman Khan was accused of killing two blackbucks in Bhagoda ki Dhani in Kankani village near Jodhpur on the intervening night of 1-2 October, 1998, during the shooting of Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Salman Khan is facing charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and the other actors have been charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code.

All of them were in a Gypsy car that night, with Khan in the driving seat. He, on spotting a herd of blackbucks, shot at and killed two of them, public prosecutor Bhawani Singh Bhati had said. The villagers, on hearing gunshots, came out running. They allege that they even chased the Gypsy that Khan was driving, and that the actor fled the scene, reported NDTV. The deer carcass was found at the spot from where the actors drove away.

When and where did the killings of these animals happen?

The animals were allegedly killed in September-October 1998 during the shooting of Salman’s movie Hum Saath Saath Hain, which also starred Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre, in Jodhpur.

Who arrested Salman Khan and the other actors?

Forest officer Lalit Bora arrested Salman Khan after he received a complaint from the Bishnoi community.

Why did the Bishnoi community lodge a complaint against Salman and the others?

The Bishnois consider Blackbucks and Chinkaras to be sacred and so protect them from poachers.

What is the status in the Chinkara case?

In the Chinkara cases, Salman Khan was acquitted by Rajasthan high court in July 2016. He was charged under section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act. The state government has now gone to Supreme Court in appeal.

Why is the killing of Chinkaras illegal?

The Chinkara is an endangered animal and accorded the highest protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife protection Act 1972.

Was Salman Khan ever imprisoned in the Chinkara case?

Yes. The trial court sentenced him to five years imprisonment in 2006 but after spending five days in jail, Salman got bail from the high court which subsequently acquitted him and the case is now in the Supreme Court.

Was Salman accorded any luxuries in jail?

Odomos. Yes, he asked for and was given the mosquito repellant cream.

What has been Salman Khan’s stand before the courts?

“I am innocent and I am falsely implicated,” the actor has said. He also said that the forest department trapped him in the case to gain publicity.

The defence lawyer, Hastimal Saraswat says the two blackbucks died a natural death. The first black buck died because of dog bite and the second blackbuck died after falling into a pit.

The other actors too claim that they are being wrongly framed and charged in the case.

What happened to Salman in the Arms Act case?

Salman Khan was acquitted in it because of weak evidence presented in court.

What happens if the actors are convicted in the case?

Under Section 51 of the Wild Life (Protection), Act 1972, the actors can be sentenced to six years’ imprisonment which may extend to four and a fine of Rs 50000

See the Verdict update here