Jodhpur : Convicting Salman Khan for killing blackbucks in 1998, a judge in Jodhpur emphasized that the "accused is a film star and people look up to him". The 52-year-old superstar was sentenced to five years in prison and taken straight to the Jodhpur Central Jail from court.
"Since the accused is a film star, people follow him and look up to him. And the way he killed innocent deer, and because there is rampant poaching…," said the judge, explaining his decision.
Four other Bollywood stars, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam Kothari, were acquitted for lack of evidence.
"Salman Khan has been convicted under the wildlife protection act and the rest of the stars have been acquitted," prosecutor Mahipal Bishnoi told reporters.
