October 1, 1998: Almost 20 years ago,&nbsp;Salman Khan&nbsp;along with&nbsp;Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam&nbsp;were charged with the poaching of blackbucks, an endangered species protected under Wildlife Protection Act near Kankani village, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Salman Khan was in Rajasthan along with his co-stars for the shooting of the film&nbsp;Hum Saath Saath Hain.

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October 2, 1998:&nbsp;Bishnoi community filed a complaint against the actor.

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October 12, 1998:&nbsp;Salman Khan arrested for the poaching of endangered species. Later, granted bail.

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April 10, 2006:&nbsp;Salman Khan convicted by a trial court under Wildlife Protection Act. Khan was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment along with a fine.

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August 31, 2007:&nbsp;Rajasthan High Court sentenced Salman Khan 5 years in prison. Khan was kept in Jodhpur Central Jail for a week.&nbsp;

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After Salman Khan's appeal, Rajasthan High Court suspended the sentence. The court also dropped charges under the Arms Act against the Bollywood star.July 24, 2012:&nbsp;A bench of Rajasthan High Court finalised charges against the accused in the poaching case.

<a href="Also see: Meet the Bishnois: The community which kept the case going for the ">Also see: Meet the Bishnois: The community which kept the case going for 20 years</a>

 
July 9, 2014:&nbsp;Supreme Court challenged Rajasthan High Court's decision of Salman's Conviction and issued a notice.

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July 25, 2016:&nbsp;Rajasthan High Court acquitted Salman in Jodhpur case. The High Court acquitted the actor saying there was no proof that the animals who were&nbsp;found dead were killed by Salman's gun.

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October 19, 2016:&nbsp;The Rajasthan government filed a plea in Supreme Court against Rajasthan High Court's rule, which acquitted Salman in two cases of chinkara and blackbuck poaching.

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November 11, 2016:&nbsp;After Rajasthan government's plea, Supreme Court fast-tracked hearing in two cases of blackbuck and chinkara poaching.

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January 18, 2017:&nbsp;Salman Khan acquitted in Arms Act case by Jodhpur High Court.

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April 5, 2018:&nbsp;Salman Khan found guilty in the blackbuck poaching case. Other actors accused in the case including Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre have been acquitted.

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Salman Khan was in Rajasthan along with his co-stars for the shooting of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain

October 1, 1998: Almost 20 years ago, Salman Khan along with Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam were charged with the poaching of blackbucks, an endangered species protected under Wildlife Protection Act near Kankani village, Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Salman Khan was in Rajasthan along with his co-stars for the shooting of the film Hum Saath Saath Hain. × October 2, 1998: Bishnoi community filed a complaint against the actor. October 12, 1998: Salman Khan arrested for the poaching of endangered species. Later, granted bail. April 10, 2006: Salman Khan convicted by a trial court under Wildlife Protection Act. Khan was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment along with a fine. August 31, 2007: Rajasthan High Court sentenced Salman Khan 5 years in prison. Khan was kept in Jodhpur Central Jail for a week. After Salman Khan's appeal, Rajasthan High Court suspended the sentence. The court also dropped charges under the Arms Act against the Bollywood star.July 24, 2012: A bench of Rajasthan High Court finalised charges against the accused in the poaching case. Also see: Meet the Bishnois: The community which kept the case going for 20 years July 9, 2014: Supreme Court challenged Rajasthan High Court's decision of Salman's Conviction and issued a notice. July 25, 2016: Rajasthan High Court acquitted Salman in Jodhpur case. The High Court acquitted the actor saying there was no proof that the animals who were found dead were killed by Salman's gun. October 19, 2016: The Rajasthan government filed a plea in Supreme Court against Rajasthan High Court's rule, which acquitted Salman in two cases of chinkara and blackbuck poaching. November 11, 2016: After Rajasthan government's plea, Supreme Court fast-tracked hearing in two cases of blackbuck and chinkara poaching. January 18, 2017: Salman Khan acquitted in Arms Act case by Jodhpur High Court. April 5, 2018: Salman Khan found guilty in the blackbuck poaching case. Other actors accused in the case including Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre have been acquitted.

Blackbuck case timeline: Salman Khan gets convicted, others acquitted

It took the court 20 long years to convict 'serial offender' Salman Khan in the Blackbuck poaching case. And while most would accuse the judiciary for taking such a long time to declare its judgement, it is also a small victory for the Bishnoi community which <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/blackbuck-poaching-case-verdict-salman-khan-convicted-128435">kept the legal battle going for the past two decades.</a>&nbsp;

According to the case, Salman Khan and others were accused of killing two blackbucks in Bhagoda ki Dhani in Kankani village near Jodhpur on the night of October 1, 1998 -- during the shooting of their film Hum Saath Saath Hain. They were charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The trial of the case has been in progress for the last 20 years.

The actor was also charged with two other poaching cases of Chinkara deer and black up in Bhawad village and Mathania village respectively.

Those who have been following the case for the past 20 years, would know that the case would not have gained such prominence in the media had it not involved the superstar and for the relentless persuasion of Bishnoi community to keep the legal battle going.&nbsp;

The community for centuries has worshipped and protected the nature. The community, started by Jammeshwarji Maharaj (Jambaji) around the 16 century AD, are governed by 29 set principles which include the protection and preservation of wildlife. The community is known to put their lives at stake in order to protect the rare antelope or a tree.&nbsp;

The Bishnois of Jodhpur consider the black buck to be the reincarnation of their religious Guru Bhagwan Jambeshwar also known as Jambaji.&nbsp;

The people of this community are known to be God-fearing and gentle but show their aggressive side only when it comes to protecting their blackbucks.&nbsp;

According to Bishnoi folklore, Jambaji is believed to have instructed his followers that blackbuck was to be revered as his manifestation. &nbsp;It is believed that when these animals raid the crops of the Bishnois, they prefer losing the crop than driving them away.&nbsp;

Blackbucks are found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country. The blackbuck is considered the most handsome member of the bovine family. Measuring a length of 120cm, with a height of 60 to 80cm, they weigh nearly 30 to 40kg.

The males have 50-60cm long horns while the females are hornless. Blackbucks do not shed their horns.&nbsp;

The quantum of punishment is yet to be decided. Even if he is sentenced to jail, he will in all likelihood get bail and will in all probability appeal to the higher court. But one thing is for sure that the community which protects the animal like one of its on, will continue to put pressure and fight till they get justice.&nbsp;

The community is god fearing and can sacrifice their own lives in order to protect the wildlife

It took the court 20 long years to convict 'serial offender' Salman Khan in the Blackbuck poaching case. And while most would accuse the judiciary for taking such a long time to declare its judgement, it is also a small victory for the Bishnoi community which kept the legal battle going for the past two decades. According to the case, Salman Khan and others were accused of killing two blackbucks in Bhagoda ki Dhani in Kankani village near Jodhpur on the night of October 1, 1998 -- during the shooting of their film Hum Saath Saath Hain. They were charged under Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. The trial of the case has been in progress for the last 20 years. The actor was also charged with two other poaching cases of Chinkara deer and black up in Bhawad village and Mathania village respectively. Those who have been following the case for the past 20 years, would know that the case would not have gained such prominence in the media had it not involved the superstar and for the relentless persuasion of Bishnoi community to keep the legal battle going. The community for centuries has worshipped and protected the nature. The community, started by Jammeshwarji Maharaj (Jambaji) around the 16 century AD, are governed by 29 set principles which include the protection and preservation of wildlife. The community is known to put their lives at stake in order to protect the rare antelope or a tree. The Bishnois of Jodhpur consider the black buck to be the reincarnation of their religious Guru Bhagwan Jambeshwar also known as Jambaji. The people of this community are known to be God-fearing and gentle but show their aggressive side only when it comes to protecting their blackbucks. According to Bishnoi folklore, Jambaji is believed to have instructed his followers that blackbuck was to be revered as his manifestation. It is believed that when these animals raid the crops of the Bishnois, they prefer losing the crop than driving them away. Blackbucks are found in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and other parts of the country. The blackbuck is considered the most handsome member of the bovine family. Measuring a length of 120cm, with a height of 60 to 80cm, they weigh nearly 30 to 40kg. The males have 50-60cm long horns while the females are hornless. Blackbucks do not shed their horns. The quantum of punishment is yet to be decided. Even if he is sentenced to jail, he will in all likelihood get bail and will in all probability appeal to the higher court. But one thing is for sure that the community which protects the animal like one of its on, will continue to put pressure and fight till they get justice.

Meet the Bishnois: The community that kept the Blackbuck case against Salman going for 20 years

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Blackbuck case timeline: Salman Khan gets convicted, others acquitted

Meet the Bishnois: The community that kept the Blackbuck case against Salman going for 20 years