NEW DELHI, 20 June 2006 — Fresh charges were framed yesterday against Bollywood stars Salman Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, Neelam, Saif Ali Khan and six others in connection with the black buck shooting case.
Charges were framed under Wildlife Protection Act in a city court in Jodhpur (Rajasthan), with all the accused present. The origin of the case is traced to a report filed in Luni police station on Oct. 15, 1998 against the actors’ involvement in killing two black bucks on Oct. 1-2, 1998 in Kankani region. The actors were then in the area for the shooting of Hindi film “Hum Saath Saath Hain” (We Are All Together). The actors pleaded not guilty to the charges following which the court fixed July 3 for the commencement of the trial.
Charges had been framed against the accused earlier also. Claiming duplication of several charges under various sections, the actors had filed a revision petition for reframing of the charges. On this ground, some charges were dropped by an additional district and sessions judge and the court was directed to reframe them.
While fresh charges against Salman have been framed under Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act; charges against Saif, Tabu, Sonali and Neelam have been framed under Section 52 of the act (unlawful assembly and abetment of crime).
Earlier, more tedious charges were framed against Salman Khan under section 148 of the India Penal Code, Section 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act and Section 27 of the Arms Act. The others were booked under Sections 147 and 149 of Indian Penal Code, and Section 52 of Wildlife Protection Act.
Of the 51 witnesses listed by the prosecution, several have already testified before framing of the charges. If convicted, the accused can be sentenced to six years of imprisonment, with a fine of Rs.25,000 under Section 52 of the Wildlife Protection Act. This is not the first time that Salman has faced legal trouble.
