India: Actor Salman Khan released from prison

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

NEW DELHI, April 8 (APD) - Famous Indian film actor Salman Khan was released fromJodhpur prison on Saturday, after being granted bail.

The actor was sentenced to five years in jail for killing an endangered deer called blackbucks, though the sentencing took place last week, the case was years old. The episode had taken place in 1998.

While Khan was convicted of killing the blackbucks, other actors—Saif Ali Khan, SonaliBendre, Tabu and Neelam were charged with abetting poaching in the 1998 blackbuck case.

Only Salman Khan was convicted and the others were let off.

Khan was charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972, and the other actors were charged with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with unlawful assembly.

The incident had taken place in 1998, when the actors were shooting in Rajasthan for the Hindi moviecalled, “Hum SaathSaathHain.”

Actor Salman Khan in Jodhpur for court hearing.

The case against the actors was registered by the Bishnoi community, known for working towards protecting the blackbucks in Rajasthan.

The judge has asked Khan to appear before the court after a month on May 7 and not leave the country without the court’s permission. The court has also agreed to hear Khan’s plea for suspension of sentence.

While the actors and their fans are relieved, the Bishnoi community expressed its regret stressing that they would challenge the bail in the high court.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)