Salman Khan’s 1998 Blackbuck Case Back In Focus Amid Renewed Discussion

The long-standing 1998 blackbuck poaching controversy involving actor Salman Khan has returned to public attention following a legal dispute over an upcoming film titled Kala Hiran: The Battle for Legacy. The case has resurfaced after Salman approached the Delhi High Court seeking to restrain the film’s release, alleging violation of his personality rights and claiming that it draws directly from events linked to his past legal troubles.

The controversy originates from an incident in October 1998, when Salman was accused of hunting protected blackbucks in Kankani village near Jodhpur, Rajasthan, while filming Hum Saath Saath Hain. The animals are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, and the complaint was filed by members of the Bishnoi community, known for their strong commitment to wildlife conservation. Following the allegations, Salman was arrested and later granted bail, marking the beginning of a legal battle that has continued for decades.

Over the years, the case has seen multiple legal developments across various courts in Rajasthan. In 2006, a trial court convicted Salman and sentenced him to five years in prison, though he was later granted bail. In subsequent proceedings, the Rajasthan High Court acquitted him in 2016 in certain related cases due to insufficient evidence. However, in 2018, a trial court again convicted him in the blackbuck poaching case and sentenced him to five years in jail, before granting him bail shortly after. Other co-accused, including Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam Kothari, and Sonali Bendre, were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

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The case also gained wider notoriety after becoming linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has repeatedly referenced the blackbuck incident in public statements, with reports of threats issued against the actor over the years. The matter escalated further in recent times following security incidents, including firing outside Salman’s residence in 2024, intensifying concerns around his safety and the ongoing fallout from the case.

The controversy has now re-emerged due to Kala Hiran, a crime thriller that Salman claims closely mirrors his life and legal history. He has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking an injunction against the film’s release, arguing that even without explicitly naming him, the promotional material and narrative clearly identify him. The film’s makers, however, have continued to promote the project, stating it is a fictionalised account inspired by real events.

Additional tensions arose after actors associated with the project raised objections about its portrayal and intent. Some cast members have alleged that they were misled about the film’s content, while others have criticised its narrative direction. The Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on June 19, a hearing that is expected to determine whether the film can proceed with its release amid ongoing legal challenges.

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