In a huge relief for actor Salman Khan, the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur today acquitted the Bollywood superstar in the blackbuck and chinkara poaching cases.
Khan was accused of killing a blackbuck and a chinkara in two separate incidents in 1998.
Salman had appealed before the high court challenging the lower court's verdict that had handed him one and five-year imprisonment, respectively in the two separate cases of poaching.
"He has been acquitted in both the cases by the High Court," Salman's counsel Hastimal Saraswat said.
Khan was accused of killing one of the animals in Bhawad on the outskirts of Jodhpur on September 26, 1998, and another in Ghoda Farms on September 28, 1998.
At the time, Salman was shooting for the film Hum Saath Saath Hain.
Salman had been lodged in Jodhpur jail earlier too in the cases.
Here's how social media reacted:
Monday morning breaking news: No one killed the black buck.
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) July 25, 2016
Salman Khan's Lawyer showed Judge his Tweets and pleaded Insanity. Judge acquitted him
— Joy (@Joydas) July 25, 2016
Of course Salman Khan didn’t kill any blackbuck. All blackbucks have long been safely deposited in Swiss banks.
— Anuradha (@anuradha_kush) July 25, 2016
The judiciary should propound a doctrine of anticipatory acquittal especially for Salman Khan. It could save his and everyone else's time.
— Nigel Britto (@NigelBritto) July 25, 2016
What would Rajasthan High court say to the Bombay High court? ``Hum Saath Saath hain''. #salmanacquitted
— T S Sudhir (@Iamtssudhir) July 25, 2016
Salman Khan acquitted in poaching case after 18 years.Probably because all the victim's friends and relatives have already died of old age.
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) July 25, 2016
I'll just leave this here. #salmankhan pic.twitter.com/dOoCBqwRXn
— Sahil Shah (@SahilBulla) July 25, 2016
#SalmanKhan is the real ambassador of technological development in India. Driver-less cars, Self-firing guns !!!
— Vibha Bhasin (@VibhaTweedy) July 25, 2016
Indian Judges are the Best Fans Ever ???? #SalmanKhan
— Deepika Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) July 25, 2016
Now waiting for Rajasthan Police to pick up an AAP MLA for killing black bucks and causing a defamation to Salman and his family.
— Rofl ☔️ Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) July 25, 2016
Thoda aur support kar de, 2-4 hiran hi andar karwa dunga. #JusticeDone pic.twitter.com/VFcx1p5jGk
— Rofl ☔️ Gandhi (@RoflGandhi_) July 25, 2016