Salman Khan not to appear before Jodhpur court on 6 July for verification of bail bonds

Actor Salman Khan was scheduled to appear before the court of the District and Sessions Judge at Jodhpur on Thursday, 6 July, for verification of bail bonds submitted by him in a case of illegal possession of arms that he allegedly used to kill blackbucks in 1998. [caption id=“attachment_3209058” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File Image of Salman Khan[/caption] However, television reports state that the actor has chosen to skip the hearing. Salman was acquitted by the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate on 18 January, 2017 under Arms Act case. He had filed a bail bond in a higher court, the District and Sessions judge, in the case. Salman and a few other Hindi film actors were accused of poaching blackbucks on the night of 1 October, 1998 during the shooting of Hindi movie Hum Saath-Saath Hain. The Dabangg star was also accused of carrying and using illegal arms, after which a case under the Arms Act was registered against him. Salman may also remain present in hearing of a case of poaching of blackbucks at Kankani village near Jodhpur - which also happened during the shooting of the film in 1998. However, neither the advocate HM Saraswat representing Salman in the local courts, nor the police officials had confirmed Salman’s arrival. The state government on 7 March filed an appeal challenging the decision of the Chief Judicial Magistrate acquittal of Salman. This is pending for adjudication in the District and Sessions court. “Khan has to come for verification of bail bonds before the appellate court as it is a legal procedure,” said Jitendar Singh Khichi, a lawyer practicing in the criminal side at the High Court. “It is not necessary to come tomorrow and Khan may also file an application seeking exemption from personal appearance for tomorrow,” Khichi had said while talking about the possibility. Besides, final arguments in a case against Salman and other film stars for alleged poaching of two blackbucks in Kankani village near Jodhpur will also begin from Thursday, 6 July. Salman and others are continuously filing applications for exemption from personal presence as they reside elsewhere, but on Thursday if Salman is here he will have to remain present before the court. With inputs from IANS.