Blackbuck: Charges against Saif, others

Jodhpur, Mar 23 : Revised charges were framed by a Jodhpur court on Saturday against Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam for helping actor Salman Khan in the hunting of a blackbuck in Rajasthan 14 years ago while they were shooting for a film in the state.

However, Salman Khan was not in the court when the charges were read out to other actors. The next hearing is on April 27.

If convicted one can face up to six years in jail. They face charges under section 52 of Wildlife Protection Act.

Salman Khan had sought exemption from appearance in court on health grounds, reports said.

The blackbuck killing dates back to 1998 when the actors were shooting there for the film "Hum Saath Saath Hain."

All were charged under the Wildlife Protection Act with hunting and inciting to hunt blackbucks, and unlawful assembly.

Salman Khan has been convicted earlier for 1 year and 5 years for poaching of two Chinkaras at Bhawad and one Black Buck at Ghoda Farm (Mathania) in Sept 1998.

In Feb 2006, Khan was sentenced to one year in prison for hunting the Chinkara, an endangered species. The sentence was stayed by a higher court during appeal.

On 10 April 2006, he was handed a five-year jail term for the black buck poaching and remanded to Jodhpur jail until 13 April when he was granted bail.

On 24 July 2012, Rajasthan High Court finalised charges against Salman Khan and his other colleagues in the endangered black buck killing case, paving way for start of the trial.