Bollywood star jailed for poaching antelope
AN Indian court yesterday jailed Bollywood star Salman Khan for five years for poaching, lawyers said, a sentence likely to derail the career of one of the country’s most popular actors.
Khan, 52, was found guilty of violating wildlife laws by killing a blackbuck, an endangered species of antelope, in 1998.
Four other Bollywood actors were acquitted.
The stocky Khan wore a black shirt and sunglasses as he entered the court followed by an entourage of aides.
Television footage later showed police escorting him to jail in Jodhpur, in the western state of Rajasthan.
Reports said Khan planned to appeal against the sentence.
His lawyer, Anand Desai, said he had submitted a plea for bail which a judge will hear today.
The case was brought by members of a community known as the Bishnoi, who revere antelopes. The community has pursued the case against Khan for almost two decades and cheered the decision by setting off firecrackers near the courthouse and handing out sweets.
Four other Bollywood actors – Saif Ali Khan, Neelam, Tabu and Sonali Bendre – were acquitted.
Some actors came out in Khan’s support. “I feel this is too harsh. I do hope he gets the relief he deserves,” Arjun Rampal said. – Reuters