Bollywood actor Salman Khan was today acquitted of all charges in the Arms Act case against him in the alleged poaching of two black bucks. Salman Khan (has been) acquitted in the Arms Act case after the prosecution failed to provide conclusive evidence, the film star’s lawyer said. Giving him the benefit of doubt, a court in Jodhpur has acquitted actor Salman Khan in the 18-year-old Arms Act case. In the 102-page judgment, CJM Dalpat Singh Rajpurohit ruled that the prosecution failed to prove charges framed against the actor under sections 3/25 and 3/27 of the Indian Arms Act.
Jodhpur Chief Judicial Magistrate Dalpat Singh Rajpurohit exonerated Mr. Khan in the matter, while holding that the prosecution had failed to produce evidence and witnesses to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The police and the Forest Department had claimed that Mr. Khan was in possession of illegal arms, with expired licences, which he had used to hunt two black bucks on October 1 and 2, 1998, in Kankani village on the outskirts of Jodhpur.
The Magistrate pronounced his order holding Mr. Khan not guilty in the court where the actor along with his sister Alveera was present. A huge crowd of fans, who had gathered outside the court building, cheered the verdict which gave benefit of doubt to Mr. Khan. The defense lawyers, who had pleaded that Mr. Khan was innocent and had been framed in the case, said justice had been rendered by the court. Mr. Khan was acquitted in two cases of poaching of chinkaras in July last year, but he still faces trial in the Kankani village issue, which is yet to be concluded.
Taking to Twitter, the star expressed his gratitude to fans for showing their immense support throughout his trial.
Thank you for all the support and good wishes
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) 18 January 2017