The Rajasthan High Court on Monday has heard the petition moved by the Rajasthan government challenging the acquittal of actor Saif Ali Khan and four others in blackbuck poaching case, in which Salman Khan was convicted and later granted bail.

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Government's plea accepted by the HC

Since the Rajasthan govt had filed the plea after the stipulated 60 days, the government's plea was heard on Monday, September 16, by the High Court. The court accepting the Rajasthan government's argument has admitted the plea against the acquittal of the actors. 

In 1998, Salman Khan was accused of killing two blackbucks on October 2, 1998, in Kankani village in Jodhpur during the shooting of Sooraj Barjatya's 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. His co-actors, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam Kothari, and Tabu, were also co-accused in the case but were acquitted due to lack of evidence. 

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Salman Khan's bail to be rejected if absent in next hearing

Salman Khan was not present in the last hearing in July and has been issued a warning by Jodhpur Court that his bail will be rejected if he doesn't make himself available in the next hearing.

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Blackbucks fall under the endangered category and its hunting is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. While Salman Khan was convicted under Section 51 of the act and awarded a five-year prison term in 2018. As per reports, Khan only spent two nights in jail and was later released on bail on a bond of Rs 50,000 and two sureties of the amount.

Earlier in May, Justice Manoj Garg had issued fresh notices to the five accused on a petition moved by the state government. While their fate lies in the verdict of the court, Saif Ali Khan and Tabu will be gearing up together for this year’s release named ‘Jawaani Jaaneman’. Tabu is also shooting for ‘A suitable boy’ which will also cast Ishaan Khatter and Tanya Maniktala. Saif will be seen in ‘Taanaji: The Unsung Warrior’ along with Ajay Devgn in the lead, Go Goa Gone Sequel and Hunter which has R Madhavan too.

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(With inputs from ANI)