On the night of October 1, 1998, a quiet scene unfolded in Kankad village, Jodhpur, as the clock approached 2 AM. The stillness of the night was shattered by the sounds of a white gypsy vehicle traversing the area. Villagers, who were awake tending to their fields, quickly realized that hunters had arrived, likely intent on poaching local wildlife.

Suddenly, the sharp crack of gunfire pierced the night, prompting the villagers to spring into action. Armed with sticks and determination, they rushed towards the source of the gunfire, fearing the worst for the local blackbuck population. Upon arrival, they were met with a shocking sight: two blackbucks lay dead on the ground, victims of illegal hunting.

As the villagers sought to identify the perpetrators, they spotted the fleeing gypsy, occupied by a group of young men and women. Among them, an eyewitness recognized Salman Khan, a well-known actor who was in Jodhpur at the time to film “Hum Saath-Saath Hain.” This recognition would prove pivotal in the ensuing legal battles.

On October 15, 1998, a formal complaint was lodged against Salman Khan by a forest officer, resulting in the registration of multiple cases. However, the prosecution’s case faced a significant setback when a key eyewitness, Chhogaram, retracted his testimony. He claimed to have forgotten the events of that night, complicating the already tumultuous legal proceedings.

In his defense, Salman Khan vehemently denied the allegations. He recounted a different narrative, suggesting that he had merely stopped to assist a baby deer he encountered during his drive. His claims included feeding the animal biscuits and providing it with water, insisting that he had no involvement in the hunting incident.

As the investigation progressed, the first postmortem reports indicated that the blackbucks had died from asphyxiation and other non-gunshot-related causes. However, this conclusion was met with skepticism from the prosecution, leading to a deeper investigation that would challenge the initial findings.

The second postmortem report contradicted the first, confirming that both animals had indeed suffered gunshot injuries. This revelation prompted further scrutiny, and evidence collected from the gypsy, including blood samples, pointed to Salman’s possible involvement in the illegal act.

Throughout the trial, Salman Khan faced extensive questioning, with judges posing 55 questions to him regarding the charges. He consistently maintained his innocence, labeling all evidence against him as fabricated. Despite his efforts to dismiss the accusations, the legal system continued to pursue the case.

In October 1998, Salman Khan was first arrested, spending five days in jail before being released. However, this incident marked the beginning of a prolonged legal saga, culminating in a five-year prison sentence in 2006. After years of legal wrangling, Salman was finally convicted in 2018, yet the case remains a focal point of controversy, leaving a lasting impact on his career and public image.