What’s Next for the Salman Khan Blackbuck Case After New Bench Announcement?
Synopsis
In a significant twist in the long-standing 1998 Kankani blackbuck poaching case involving Salman Khan, the Rajasthan High Court has shifted the bench overseeing the appeals. This change could impact the outcome of both Khan's appeal and the Rajasthan government's challenge against the acquittal of co-accused. Stay updated as this high-profile case unfolds.
Key Takeaways
Significant change in the bench hearing the Kankani blackbuck case.
The case has been under judicial scrutiny for nearly three decades .
Salman Khan's 2018 conviction is still being contested.
The Rajasthan government is appealing the acquittal of co-accused.
A new bench will set the future hearing schedule.
Jodhpur, Feb 16 (NationPress) A noteworthy update emerged on Monday regarding the nearly three-decade-old 1998 Kankani blackbuck poaching case linked to Bollywood star Salman Khan, as the Rajasthan High Court revealed a shift in the bench responsible for the hearings.
Justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu, who had been overseeing the appeals connected to this case, has recused himself from further involvement.
As a result of his withdrawal, the case will now be presented to a newly formed bench for ongoing proceedings.
The High Court had planned to hear Salman Khan’s criminal appeal that challenges his 2018 conviction and five-year sentence, alongside the Rajasthan government’s appeal against the acquittal of the co-accused in the matter.
Previously, Justice Manoj Kumar Garg had instructed that both cases be linked and heard together to ensure they were resolved concurrently.
However, due to recent procedural changes and the recusal, the hearings will now proceed before a different bench once the matter is officially reassigned and rescheduled.
The case traces back to 1998, during the filming of the Hindi movie Hum Saath-Saath Hain near Kankani village in Jodhpur district. Salman Khan and his co-stars were accused of illegally hunting two blackbucks, a species safeguarded under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
On April 5, 2018, the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Jodhpur found Salman Khan guilty and sentenced him to five years in prison. He was later granted bail and has since appealed his conviction in the Rajasthan High Court.
In the same ruling from 2018, the trial court acquitted the co-accused, including Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, Neelam, and Dushyant Singh, citing insufficient evidence to justify their conviction.
The Rajasthan government subsequently filed a leave petition seeking permission to contest their acquittal. In previous proceedings, Salman Khan also submitted a transfer plea requesting that both his appeal and the state’s appeal be heard simultaneously to prevent conflicting rulings.
The High Court accepted this request and ordered the joint listing of the matters. Following Justice Sandhu's recusal, the case is now set for reassignment to a new bench, which will outline the schedule for future hearings.
This latest development marks another chapter in one of Rajasthan’s most prominent criminal cases, which has remained under legal scrutiny for almost three decades.
The newly formed bench of the Rajasthan High Court will determine the direction of the appeals in upcoming hearings.
Point of View
I emphasize the importance of following the legal proceedings in this renowned case. It reflects not only on the judicial system but also on societal attitudes towards wildlife protection and celebrity accountability. The ongoing developments will be closely monitored as they unfold.
NationPress
6 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kankani blackbuck poaching case?
The Kankani blackbuck poaching case involves allegations against Salman Khan and his co-actors for illegally hunting protected blackbucks during the filming of 'Hum Saath-Saath Hain' in 1998.
What was the outcome of the 2018 trial?
In 2018, Salman Khan was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison, while his co-accused were acquitted due to lack of evidence.
Why did Justice Sandhu recuse himself?
Justice Baljinder Singh Sandhu recused himself from further hearings for undisclosed reasons, prompting the reassignment of the case to a new bench.
What are the next steps in the case?
The case will be reassigned to a new bench, which will determine the schedule for future hearings regarding both Salman Khan's appeal and the Rajasthan government’s challenge.
How has this case affected public perception of wildlife laws?
This high-profile case has heightened public awareness and debate surrounding wildlife protection laws and the responsibilities of celebrities.
