Bollywood actor Salman Khan was today acquitted of all charges against him in the Arms Act case in the alleged poaching of two black bucks in 1998.
The film star was present in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (Jodhpur district), where the verdict was pronounced. He arrived in Jodhpur yesterday with his sister Alvira and his advocates.
"Salman Khan (has been) acquitted in the Arms Act case after the prosecution failed to provide conclusive evidence," the film star's lawyer said, ANI reported.
Prosecution lawyer Bhawani Singh told reporters after the verdict that Khan got the benefit of doubt because the prosecution had failed to establish charges.
A case against the film star was registered in October 1998 under the Arms Act for his alleged use and possession of arms with an expired license during the alleged poaching of two black bucks in Kankani village in Rajasthan, India.
Salman's 0.22 rifle and 0.32 revolver had expired licenses and cases were filed under Sections 3/25 and 3/27. The maximum sentence in Section 3/25 is usually three years while Section 3/27 has seven years as the maximum sentence.
During the arguments, while the defence had argued that there was evidence against Salman in the case and he was framed by the forest department, the prosecution argued that there were adequate evidence against the film star for the use and possession of the arms with an expired license.
Of the four cases against him, Khan has already been acquitted in two cases of poaching by the high court while a third case of poaching is in its final stage.
