Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, known for his massive stardom and blockbuster movies, has often found himself embroiled in controversies. One of the most prominent is the infamous blackbuck poaching case, which dates back 26 years to 1998. Despite his successful film career, this legal battle continues to cast a shadow over his life. The incident took place during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan, where he was accused of hunting the protected blackbuck. Let’s take a closer look at what happened that night and why this case still haunts the actor.
The Night of the Alleged Hunting Incident
In 1998, Salman Khan was filming Hum Saath Saath Hain in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, along with co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, and Neelam Kothari. During this period, Salman was accused of hunting two blackbucks, an endangered species, which is considered sacred by the local Bishnoi community. According to reports, the group allegedly went out hunting at night in a gypsy vehicle, with Salman leading the way.
The locals, upon hearing gunshots, became suspicious and pursued the vehicle. Some witnesses claimed that they saw Salman and his co-stars in the vehicle. The blackbucks were found dead, and the accusations against the actor soon followed. This incident marked the beginning of a long legal battle for the actor.
Salman Khan’s Side of the Story
In various interviews, Salman Khan has maintained his innocence. The actor has always denied the accusations of hunting blackbuck. In one of his interviews, he shared his version of what happened that night. According to Salman, they were on the film set in Jodhpur when the local police arrived and took the entire cast, including Sonali Bendre, Tabu, and Neelam, into custody. He emphasized that the initial post-mortem report of the blackbucks showed no signs of bullet wounds, further suggesting that they did not hunt the animals.
Salman has repeatedly asserted that the case is based on false accusations and misidentifications. He claims that his presence in the gypsy that night is the only reason his name has been dragged into the controversy.
The FIR and Charges
The police case against Salman Khan was built around witness testimonies from villagers who claimed to have seen the actor inside the vehicle when the hunting took place. According to the FIR, two blackbucks were killed that night. Several witnesses stated they heard gunshots and later identified Salman as one of the individuals involved.
Following the FIR, Salman Khan was arrested by the Rajasthan Forest Department. Over the next 20 years, Salman faced multiple arrests and court appearances in relation to the case. In 2006, he was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for poaching, but he was later granted bail. The case has since been revisited several times, with the actor continuing to fight to clear his name.
Lawrence Bishnoi and Threats to Salman’s Life
While the blackbuck poaching case continues to make headlines, a new layer of controversy emerged when gangster Lawrence Bishnoi entered the scene. Bishnoi, who belongs to the Bishnoi community that reveres blackbucks, has repeatedly threatened Salman Khan, demanding that he apologize to the community.
The Bishnoi gang has gone so far as to issue death threats to the actor. One of Bishnoi’s associates, Anmol Bishnoi, took responsibility for an attack outside Salman Khan’s residence and has continued to threaten the actor. The recent murder of Salman’s close friend, Baba Siddiqui, is also believed to be linked to these threats. Bishnoi has made it clear that until Salman apologizes for the 1998 incident, his life remains in danger.
Salman Khan’s Legal Struggles Continue
Over the years, Salman Khan has made several court appearances in connection with the blackbuck case. In 2018, the actor was sentenced to five years in prison, but he was again granted bail after spending two days in jail. Despite his repeated denials and legal defenses, the case remains unresolved, and the Bishnoi community’s demand for an apology looms large.
The blackbuck poaching case, despite being over two decades old, continues to haunt Salman Khan. With the involvement of dangerous criminals like Lawrence Bishnoi and the repeated threats to his life, the controversy surrounding this case shows no signs of fading away.
