JODHPUR: Salman Khan told a court in Rajasthan today that he has been falsely accused of killing blackbuck deer during a film shoot in 1998. “I am innocent,” he reportedly said in a Jodhpur court where his co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam were also present as co-accused.
“Khan has not committed any crime. After the film shooting, he used to remain in the hotel. He has been framed in the case and we would produce the evidence in favour of his innocence on the next date,” said his counsel H M Saraswat.
Salman Khan has faced four cases over the years linked to the killing of two blackbuck and two chinkara in the alleged deer hunt while filming the movie “Hum Saath Saath Hain”. The other actors are accused of instigating him.
Khan reached the court with other co-accused in the case – Neelam, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Saif Ali Khan at 11.20 AM. He was in the court for close to one hour and left immediately afer his statement was recorded.
The court had earlier asked the actors to appear on January 25, but they had asked for more time citing extra security a day ahead of Republic Day.
Salman Khan, 51, was charged with killing two blackbucks – an endangered species – during an alleged hunt near Jodhpur while the entire team was on a shoot for the movie ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ in 1998.
The prosecution has produced 28 witnesses.
Last week, Salman Khan was let off in an Arms Act case linked to the poaching. He was accused of keeping and using an unlicenced weapon but the court acquitted him of the charge, giving him the benefit of doubt based on weak evidence.
The Rajasthan High Court had last year acquitted the actor in two cases related to the hunting of chinkara deer.
