Poaching case: Charges framed against Salman

Other Bollywood stars, viz, Saif Ali Khan and Tabu were charged for provoking poaching of the endangered species.

In fresh trouble for Bollywood star Salman Khan, already convicted and sentenced to jail terms in two poaching cases, a local court on Monday framed charges against him for allegedly hunting a black buck in Kankani village in October 1998.

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Charges were also framed against actors Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Tabu and Sonali Bendre for abetting him in the alleged crime under the Wildlife Act.

All the accused were present in the court of District Judicial Magistrate Dalpat Singh. They pleaded not guilty to the charges following which the Magistrate fixed July 3 for commencement of trial.

While Salman, 40, has been charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife Act (hunting), others have been charged under Section 52 of the Act (abettment).

Salman had earlier filed a revision petition in the case and an Additional District and Sessions judge had directed for reframing of the charges.

Hearing in Salman's appeals against his conviction in two other cases, for killing a Chinkara in Bhavad and Black Buck in Ghoda farms, have been deferred to August 21 by District and Sessions Judge GS Surana.

While the Bollywood star had been sentenced to one year imprisonment in the Chinkara poaching case, he was awarded a five-year term in the Ghoda Farm black buck hunting case.