Monday’s Rajasthan High Court session on the blackbuck poaching scandal ended abruptly as the judge withdrew from the case, citing prior involvement. The appeal now awaits Chief Justice assignment, ensuring the saga’s next chapter unfolds before a fresh bench.
Rajasthan’s prosecution seeks to overturn the 2018 acquittals of Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam, Sonali Bendre, and Dushyant Singh in the 1998 Jodhpur incident. During ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ shoots near Kankani, accusations flew that the stars hunted blackbucks, leading to Salman’s sole conviction and five-year term.
The trial court’s evidence shortfall freed the co-accused, irking authorities who filed for appellate leave. Salman’s bail post-conviction kept him out of jail amid ongoing appeals.
Judicial recusal, a cornerstone of unbiased adjudication, was invoked due to the judge’s previous case discussions. This pause refocuses attention on a narrative blending glamour, wildlife crime, and legal perseverance.
Environmentalists view the case as pivotal for deterring poaching, while fans and critics debate fame’s role in verdicts. The Chief Justice’s routing decision looms large, potentially accelerating closure or extending the 26-year odyssey.
India’s courts continue balancing star status with statutory duties, with this deferral underscoring commitment to procedural purity over expediency.