Salman Khan convicted in blackbuck poaching case: Shilpa Shinde, Arjun Rampal express shock

New Delhi: Superstar Salman Khan has been convicted in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case and sentenced to a 5-year jail term by the Jodhpur sessions court. However, the court acquitted Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam, giving them 'giving them the "benefit of doubt'.

The 52-year-old actor has been taken to Jodhpur Central jail and will be spending the night there. Because the sentence is more than three years, Salman will have to appeal to the higher court for bail, as per PTI report.

This is his fourth stint in the Jodhpur Central Jail. He has earlier spent a total of 18 days in the jail in 1998, 2006 and 2007, all for cases of poaching.

After the verdict was announced, social media was flooded with reactions. Several celebrities took to Twitter and express 'shock' over the jail term.

I am extremely shocked to hear @BeingSalmanKhan being convicted by session court but also having full trust in indian judiciary which has many other doors to appeal for final justice whatsoever. Since He is most loved person by industry N people for his human reasons too. — Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) April 5, 2018

Punishing a good human being is not acceptable.
Animal poaching is ever increasing, jungles are cut in the name of urban development, isn't it leading to wildlife killing, who will be punished for that?#SalmanKhan@BeingSalmanKhan#BlackBuckPoachingCase — Shilpa Shinde (@ShindeShilpaS) April 5, 2018

We are happy for us but we are disappointed for #SalmanKhan. Justice has not been given properly in this case. I am feeling bad for him: Samir Soni, actor and husband of actress Neelam #BlackbuckPoachingCase pic.twitter.com/V65Dm9rkGY — ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

The law takes its course. Can’t argue it. But at this point in time I just feel helpless and my heart goes out to @BeingSalmanKhan and his family. Reason, cause the last thing @BeingSalmanKhan is, is a criminal.I feel this is too harsh. I do hope he gets the relief he deserves. — arjun rampal (@rampalarjun) April 5, 2018

I respect the verdict given by the court in the #BlackBuckPoachingCase. But, @BeingSalmanKhan bhai doesn't deserve to go to jail. A person like him who keeps charity above all isn't guilty at heart. There's so much to focus like poverty, women safety, etc. and we focus on this?

— Himansh Kohli (@himanshkohli) April 5, 2018

Extremely saddened by hearing about @BeingSalmanKhan , I have full faith in the law, and I hope they get lenient on behalf of the great humanitarian work that he is doing. #Salman Khan #WeSupportSalmanKhan #BlackBuckPoachingCase — Naved Jafri (@NavedJafri_BOO) April 5, 2018

The Jodhpur sessions court sentenced him to five years in jail and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000, prosecution lawyer Mahipal Bishnoi said. Held guilty under Section 9/51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, he had faced a maximum punishment of six years behind bars.

The actor shot and killed the blackbucks, from the antelope family, in Kankani village near Jodhpur on the night of October 1, 1998, during the shooting of the film 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'.

(With PTI inputs)