ISLAMABAD – The news of “friend” Salman Khan being sentenced to five yearsin prison in the blackbucks poaching case has deeply saddened formerPakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who found the punishment to be harsh.
“Really sad to see my friend Salman Khan sentenced for five years, but thelaw must take its course and we got to respect the decision of honourablecourt of India.
“But I still think punishment is too harsh, but my heart goes to his familyand fans. I am sure he will be out soon,” Shoaib Akhtar tweeted.
In the case stretching almost 20 years, his co-stars from the film, SaifAli Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam Kothari, were acquitted due tolack of evidence.
In addition to the 5 years sentence, the actor has been fined Rs 10,000 forhunting blackbucks which are protected animals under the Schedule I of theWildlife Act since 1972. The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan considers theblackbucks to be a sacred animal.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Dev Kumar Khatri, while pronouncing the verdictin the case of killing the protected antelopes, called the 52-year-oldactor a “habitual offender” under the wildlife protection laws of thecountry.