KKN Gurugram Desk | The long-running and controversial Blackbuck Poaching Case involving Bollywood superstar Salman Khan and several other actors has once again come under judicial spotlight. The Rajasthan High Court has agreed to examine a plea challenging the acquittal of Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Neelam, who were co-accused in the 1998 poaching incident.

The High Court has scheduled a comprehensive hearing on July 28, 2025, which will consolidate all related appeals, including the one concerning Salman Khan’s conviction and sentence.

Background: What Happened in Kankani, Jodhpur in 1998?

The incident in question dates back to October 1, 1998, during the filming of the Bollywood movie ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ near Kankani village in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

According to the prosecution, Salman Khan allegedly shot and killed a blackbuck, a protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, while others, including Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam, Sonali Bendre, and local resident Dushyant Singh, were present at the time.

Trial Court Verdict (2018): Salman Convicted, Others Acquitted

In a landmark verdict issued by the Jodhpur trial court on April 5, 2018, Salman Khan was found guilty of killing two blackbucks and was sentenced to five years in prison. However, the other accused were acquitted due to lack of conclusive evidence, as the court gave them the benefit of the doubt.

Salman Khan was later granted bail by the Sessions Court and has remained free pending appeal.

Rajasthan Government Challenges Acquittals

The case has now taken a new turn after the Rajasthan state government filed a ‘Leave to Appeal’ petition in the Rajasthan High Court, challenging the acquittal of Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, Neelam, and Dushyant Singh.

The petition argues that the lower court erred in acquitting the co-accused, despite sufficient circumstantial evidence and witness testimonies pointing toward their involvement in the illegal hunting expedition.

Advocate Mahipal Bishnoi, representing the Bishnoi community (known for its strong wildlife protection ethos), stated that the state seeks to hold all actors equally accountable.

High Court Orders Clubbing of Related Cases

Justice Manoj Kumar Garg of the Rajasthan High Court has directed that all related appeals—including:

• The state government’s appeal against the acquittals

• Salman Khan’s appeal against his conviction

• Related petitions concerning bail and legal procedures

— be clubbed together for a joint hearing scheduled on July 28, 2025.

Legal Arguments in Focus

1. Challenge to Acquittals

The primary argument is that the acquittal of the co-accused was premature and unsupported by key witness accounts, forensic reports, and sequence of events during the hunting night.

2. Salman Khan’s Bail and Conviction

The state is also expected to argue for the reinstatement of Salman’s sentence, while his legal team maintains that he was unjustly convicted despite contradictory evidence.

3. Transfer Petition

Salman Khan had earlier sought to transfer his appeal from the Sessions Court to the High Court, stating that all appeals stem from the same case and must be reviewed together.

Why the Blackbuck Case Still Matters

The blackbuck, also known as Antilope cervicapra, is a protected species under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, which means hunting it is treated as a serious criminal offense in India.

This case has become a symbol of celebrity accountability in India, raising ongoing public debate on:

• Whether high-profile individuals receive preferential treatment in the justice system.

• The importance of wildlife conservation laws.

• Judicial delays in high-stakes legal matters.

Public Reactions and Media Coverage

The news of a possible retrial or reversal of the earlier verdicts has reignited media attention and divided public opinion:

• Wildlife activists and conservationists have welcomed the High Court’s decision to revisit the case, stating that justice must be served—regardless of celebrity status.

• Bollywood fans and supporters of the actors believe that the revival of the case is politically motivated and unnecessary after nearly 27 years.

The case has also trended widely on social media platforms, with users revisiting older footage, police reports, and courtroom testimonies.

Where Do the Celebrities Stand Now?

🔸 Salman Khan

• Continues to work in films and television

• Frequently appears for legal hearings

• Maintains that he is innocent and framed

🔸 Saif Ali Khan

• Has remained silent on the renewed legal challenge

• Focused on acting projects and family life

🔸 Tabu, Sonali Bendre, Neelam

• All three have resumed their careers to varying extents

• May now face renewed legal scrutiny if the High Court finds grounds for trial

Possible Outcomes of the July 28 Hearing

The July 28 hearing could lead to several legal possibilities:

1. Reopening of trial for the co-accused if the High Court admits the state’s appeal.

2. Upholding the existing acquittals, thereby closing the matter permanently for Saif, Tabu, and others.

3. A re-evaluation of Salman Khan’s conviction and sentence.

4. Instructions to a lower court to conduct retrial or re-examination of certain evidence.

Legal experts suggest that the High Court’s approach will be critical in setting a precedent for wildlife-related offenses involving celebrities.

Timeline Recap of the Blackbuck Poaching Case

As the court prepares for the crucial hearing, the Blackbuck Poaching Case remains one of the most closely followed legal sagas in India. It encapsulates the intersection of law, celebrity influence, wildlife protection, and public accountability.

Whether this renewed legal process leads to justice or further controversy, the eyes of the nation—and the world—will be watching on July 28, 2025.