Black Buck Poaching Case: Salman Khan's plea for suspension of sentence to be heard on July 17

Jodhpur Districts and Sessions Court on Monday adjourned the hearing on Salman Khan’s plea, challenging the trial court order in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case till July 17.

Fifty-two-year-old Khan appeared before the court on Monday in compliance with the directions given by the court on April 7 while granting bail.

The Bollywood superstar was sentenced to five years in jail following his conviction in the blackbuck poaching case. He was found guilty of killing two blackbucks in September 1998 in Kankani village, Jodhpur, during the shooting of “Hum Saath Saath Hain”.

The court acquitted all the other accused — actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Dushyant Singh, a local driver who took Salman to the jungles.

Later on April 7, Khan was released on bail after spending two days in Jodhpur jail. He was allowed to file an application for suspension of sentence for a month against.

The District and Sessions Judge Chandra Kumar Songara adjourned the hearing after the defence counsel Mahesh Bora sought time to begin arguments.

The actor would not be required to be present in the court at next hearing on July 17, when his plea for suspension of sentence would be heared. However, he will not be able to leave the country without the court’s permission.

(With inputs from agencies)