5 years jail term for Salman for killing two Chinkaras

Jodhpur, Apr 10 (UNI) Actor Salman Khan was today sentenced to five years jail term and fined Rs 25,000 for killing two Chinkaras in 1998.

The Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Jodhpur Brijendra Kumar Jain sent Salman to judicial custody in the Chinkara killing case and found him guilty under Section 51 of Wildlife Protection Act.

The other accused Chowkidar Govardhan Singh was awarded one-year jail term and Rs 5,000 as penalty.

As the CJM does not have the power to grant bail for sentences above three years, Salman will have to spend at least two days in jail. Tomorrow the court is closed due to Mahavir Jayanti and Salman won't be able to appeal in a higher court.

Salman was found to be disturbed in the court today and was very disappointed after the court decision.

However, eyewitnesses Harish Dulani and Danaram were found guilty of turning hostile. The court had completed the hearings on March 28.

The Ghoda Farm poaching case took place on September 28-29 1998 in Mathania region, where Salman and six others have been accused of hunting two Chinkaras.

The same court had awarded one-year jail term and Rs 5000 as fine to the actor on February 17, 2006 for hunting two black bucks on September 26-27,1998 in Bhavad village in Mathania region. Seven other accused were released on grounds of benefit of doubt.

In the Ghoda Farm case, Salman has been found guilty under Section 27 of Indian Arms Act, Section 51 of Wildlife Protection Act and Section 144, 145,148 and 149 under Indian Penal Code.

The other six accused in the case were found guilty under these Acts except Section 27 of Indian Arms Act.

Forest official Lalit Boda had filed the report on Oct 11,1998 at Mathania police station in the Ghoda Farm case while the chargesheet was presented in the court on May 14,1999.

The charges were framed on April 13, 2001. In this case the prosecution presented a list of 43 witnesses but only 33 witnesses were produced.

UNI XC RRT RP HT1438