1998 blackbuck verdict: Salman Khan convicted; Saif, Tabu walk free.Mockery of Judiciary-Why it took 20 years for an Indian court.Now Upper court will grant him bail.Good Drama.

A Jodhpur court on Thursday convicted Salman Khan. His ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ co-stars, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, Neelam however were acquitted in the 1998 blackbuck killing case. 

Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri pronounced the verdict in the case that had been going on for 20 years. Arguments on the punishment are underway. 

Salman was facing charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The other actors had been charged under Section 51 read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. 

It was a long legal battle between the Bishnoi community, who are committed towards protecting the species, and the Bollywood stars. 

The incident happened when the stars were shooting for Sooraj Barjatya's family drama 'Hum Saath Saath Hain.' 

Salman faced charges under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 

The other actors were charged under Section 51 read with Section 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code. 

Maximum punishment under Section 51 is six years. 

Final arguments of the case were completed in the trial court on March 28 

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