Introduction:

In a significant development in the long-standing 1998 Blackbuck Poaching Case, the Rajasthan Government has approached the High Court challenging the acquittal of Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, and Neelam. The case, which has been under judicial scrutiny for over two decades, pertains to the alleged killing of two blackbucks, a protected species under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, during the shooting of the film “Hum Saath Saath Hain” near Jodhpur in October 1998. The Bishnoi community, known for their commitment to wildlife conservation, filed the initial complaint, leading to the prosecution of several actors involved in the incident.

Arguments of Both Sides:

The Rajasthan Government contends that the trial court erred in acquitting the aforementioned actors in 2018, arguing that there was sufficient evidence to establish their involvement in the poaching incident. The prosecution emphasises the need to uphold wildlife protection laws and seeks to establish shared culpability among all accused parties. On the other hand, the defence maintains that the trial court’s acquittal was justified due to a lack of concrete evidence linking the actors to the crime. They argue that the prosecution’s case is based on conjecture and lacks substantive proof of the actors’ direct involvement in the poaching.

Court’s Judgment:

Justice Manoj Kumar Garg of the Rajasthan High Court heard the State’s appeal on May 16 and scheduled the matter for further hearing on July 28, 2025. This date coincides with the hearing of a separate criminal appeal filed by actor Salman Khan, who was convicted in 2018 for his role in the same incident. The High Court’s decision to club the appeals indicates a comprehensive re-examination of the case, considering all aspects and parties involved. The outcome of these hearings could have significant implications for wildlife conservation efforts and the enforcement of related laws in India.