Black Buck case: Witness identifies Tabu, Neelam, Sonali Bendre

The prosecution eyewitness has identified Bollywood actresses Sonali Bendre, Neelam and Tabu before the court during the hearing of the 16-year-old black buck poaching case.

Apart from the trio, Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Saif Ali Khan were also named in the case, which was reported on September 27, 1998, in Kankani Village near Jodhpur.

Salman had, while shooting for the movie Hum Saath Saath Hain allegedly shot down two black bucks while being accompanied by Saif Ali Khan and the three actresses.

The case was heard by Chief Judicial Magistrate (rural) Anupama Bijlanai.

Prosecution lawyer, Mahipal Bishnoi said the three actresses were identified by eyewitness in the case, Sheraram, who saw them sitting in the vehicle driven by Salman Khan.

"All the three actresses were produced in court. They were identified by the eyewitness in the case, Sheraram, who said it in the court that on the day the black buck was hunted, three of these actresses were present in the gypsy (vehicle driven by main accused, Bollywood actor Salman Khan)," Bishnoi said.

According to Sheraram's account before the court, he was sleeping on the roof of his house on the fateful night and on hearing the noises of neighbours and gun shots, he rushed to the spot along with a neighbour Mangilal. Both followed the vehicle, which was being driven by Bollywood star Salman Khan. The vehicle speedily turned back towards Sheraram but did not stop despite him trying to stop it.

In February 2006, the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate had sentenced Salman to one-year imprisonment. The actor had appealed against the verdict in a sessions court.

So far, a total of 10 prosecution witnesses have been produced in the court for cross examination in the case.

Image: Film actors Neelam, Tabu and Sonali Bendre arrive to appear in a court in Jodhpur in connection with black buck poaching case of 1998. Photograph: PTI Photo