The Rajasthan government today filed an appeal in the Supreme Court against the High Court’s decision of acquitting actor Salman Khan in two cases of chinkara poaching, which happened back in 1998.
The state government had earlier filed a special leave petition in the apex court on Tuesday against the acquittal of Salman Khan by the High Court.
Speaking on the issue, an animal activist, S. Bishnoi said, ”I am happy with the Rajasthan government’s move to file the petition. ”
Salman Khan was accused of hunting three chinkaras in Jodhpur. The incident dates back to 1998, when Salman was shooting with his co-stars for the film Hum Saath Saath Hain. If the 50-year-old indeed surrenders, it could be a big blow to the reality TV show Bigg Boss 10, which he is currently hosting.
Additional Advocate General of the Rajasthan government in Supreme Court Shiv Mangal Sharma had said, “Hearing on our SLP is expected to come up some time after Diwali vacations.” The Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur on July 25 acquitted Salman, who was accused of killing two Chinkaras in separate incidents.
Speaking on the matter, Rajasthan’s Home Minister, Gulab Chand said, ”This has been a long pending case and hence should soon reach its end.”
In 2006, Salman was convicted by the trial court and handed sentences of one and five years respectively for allegedly poaching three chinkaras in two separate instances. But the Rajasthan HC overturned the order and acquitted the actor in both the cases in July.
While finding him not guilty, the High Court said there was no evidence to prove that the animals who were found dead were shot by Mr Khan’s licensed gun. A key witnesses, the driver of the jeep that was used by Salman Khan and his co-stars for their alleged hunt was missing, the prosecution admitted, which considerably weakened the case against the actor.
Justice Nirmaljit Kaur, while allowing Salman’s appeal, had on July 25 acquitted him of all charges and also dismissed the state government appeal for enhancing the sentence. In August, Rajasthan’s Additional Advocate General KL Thakur had recommended to the state government to appeal in the Supreme Court against Salman’s acquittal by the High Court.
