Bollywood actors Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam arrived in court in Jodhpur on Friday to record their statements in the 18-year-old blackbuck poaching case.
The actors arrived in the city on Thursday after the court, on January 13, ordered their presence.
The five are accused of poaching two blackbucks, which are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, while shooting for the film ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ near Kankani village in 1998.
The actors were ordered before the chief judicial magistrate court (Jodhpur District) after their counsel sought an exemption of their presence on January 25.
Salman Khan’s counsel Hastimal Sarswat told Hindustan Times that the prosecution has examined only 28 witnesses of the total 51. If required, the defence side would be given a chance after the accused statements are recorded.
{{/usCountry}}Salman Khan’s counsel Hastimal Sarswat told Hindustan Times that the prosecution has examined only 28 witnesses of the total 51. If required, the defence side would be given a chance after the accused statements are recorded.
{{/usCountry}}Salman is also facing trial for possession of illegal firearms that were used to shoot the animals.
Two others, Dushyant Singh and Dinesh Ganware, are accused of helping the actors hunt. Ganware has been on the run since the incident and accusations against him are yet to be framed.
Read | Salman Khan acquitted by Rajasthan HC in Black Buck poaching case