Salman Khan will go back to his movie star life now, says PETA, condemning bail

Salman Khan’s bail on Saturday in connection with the decades-old blackbuck poaching case was condemned by PETA India.

The Indian chapter of animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has condemned the decision of a Jodhpur Court to grant bail to Bollywood actor Salman Khan in connection with the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.

Salman Khan released from jail at Jodhpur, Rajasthan.(HT Photo)

“While Salman Khan gets to go back home to his movie star life for now, blackbucks were made to pay the highest price, with their lives,” PETA India CEO Manilal Valliyate said in a statement.

READ | Salman Khan walks out of Jodhpur jail after bail in blackbuck poaching case, fans wait for him in Mumbai

Terming the decision in the actor’s case ‘unusual,’ the NGO states that “these days, wildlife crime matters are commonly fast-tracked, bail is often denied, and offenders regularly receive seven-year prison sentences.”

Valliyate further said that the NGO has been involved in the case of a man from Maharashtra who killed a baboon as his first offence and has been denied bail for a record five times, and added that such cases usually warrant seven-year prison sentences.

Police stand guard outside the house of Bollywood actor Salman Khan after a court in Jodhpur granted him bail. (REUTERS)

“If animal abusers now expect to get bail easily or to have their cases dragged out, they are in for a major surprise,” the CEO remarked.

The actor had on Thursday appealed for a bail following his conviction in the 20-year-old case.

READ | Bollywood celebrates Salman Khan’s bail with photos, wishes on social media

Salman was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of killing two blackbucks in Jodhpur during the shooting of his movie Hum Saath Saath Hain in 1998.

The other four accused - actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam, and Sonali Bendre - were acquitted in the case.

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