![Blackbuck poaching case: If found guilty, equal punishment for Saif, Neelam, Sonali](https://media.newstracklive.com/uploads/latest-news/india-news/Apr/05/big_thumb/salman-khan-1_5ac5ac6a79482.jpg)
Today, the verdict on the blackbuck poaching case is expected to be pronounced after 11 am. According to the reports, the Bollywood star Salman Khan with other actors, including Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Neelam, and Tabu are allegedly gone on a midnight hunting spree. It is stated that all of them has killed two blackbucks in October 1998.
Actor Salman Khan and the other accused are charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The maximum punishment under Section 51 is up to six years in prison.
According to the Public Prosecutor Bhawani Singh Bhati, “All of them were in a Gypsy car that night, with Salman Khan in the driver's seat. He, on spotting a herd of black bucks, shot at and killed two of them,”. “But on being spotted and chased, they fled from the spot leaving the dead animals there," he added. The public prosecutor also added that there was adequate evidence against them.
According to Saif Ali Khan, Neelam and Sonali Bendre's lawyer said: "If they are found guilty, then there is equal punishment for all. Maximum punishment will be for six years and minimum one year."
The case against Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, and Neelam was filed in October 1998. Reports say the case was registered after the forest department recovered the carcasses of blackbucks. A forensic report filed also confirmed that the blood samples found on Salman's car matched with those of the black bucks.