ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been saddened by the news of Indian actor Salman Khan being sentenced to five years in prison in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case.
Akhtar, who finds the punishment harsh, took to social media on Friday to express his feelings over the jail time for ‘Dabangg’ Khan.
“Really sad to see my friend Salman Khan sentenced for five years, but the law must take its course and we got to respect the decision of honourable court of India.
https://twitter.com/shoaib100mph/status/981881091656167424
“But I still think punishment is too harsh, but my heart goes to his family and fans. I am sure he will be out soon,” Akhtar tweeted.
The 52-year-old Bollywood superstar was sentenced to five years in prison on Thursday after a Jodhpur court convicted him for killing two rare blackbucks. In the case stretching almost 20 years, his co-stars from film, Hum Saath Saath Hai – Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam Kothari – were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
In addition to the 5 years sentence, the actor has been fined Rs 10,000 for hunting blackbucks which are protected animals under the Schedule I of the Wildlife Act since 1972.
The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan considers the blackbucks to be a sacred animal.
After the sentencing, Salman Khan was taken to the Jodhpur Central Jail on Thursday evening The actor has been kept alone in a cell with his own guards and nobody is allowed to meet him.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/lifestyle/salman-khan-found-guilty-in-blackbuck-poaching-case/
Lawyers of Salman Khan reached the Jodhpur Sessions court on Friday morning with his 51-page bail application but the actor will have to spend one more night in jail as Qaidi (prisoner) number 106, after the court on Friday said his bail plea hearing will continue on Saturday.
