1998 Blackbuck Poaching Case: Rajasthan Govt Moves High Court Against Acquittal Of Actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre & Neelam

The Rajasthan Government has moved the High Court challenging the acquittal of actors Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu and Neelam by the trial Court in the 1998 Blackbuck Poaching Case. 

Justice Manoj Kumar Garg heard the State's appeal on May 16 and in its order said: "List the matter on 28.07.2025 along with the criminal appeal filed by the accused – Salman Khan". 

In 2018, the prime accused in the case, actor Salman Khan, was held guilty by a sessions court in Jodhpur, while the co-accused actors–Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam were acquitted. Notably Salman Khan has moved a separate criminal appeal against this conviction. 

The decades old case related to the killing of two blackbucks by the prime accused in Bhagoda ki Dhani in Mathania village near Jodhpur in October 1998, while the actors were shooting for the Hindi film Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Owing to the fact that Blackbuck is a protected species under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, the complaint was lodged by the Bishnoi community which is a firm believer of nature conservation.

Case Title: State v Saif Ali

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