Filmstar Salman Khan appeared at the district and sessions court in Jodhpur on Monday for the hearing of his appeal filed against the lower court’s order sentencing him to a five year jail term in the black buck poaching case.

His defence counsel argued the case in the court of Justice Kamal Raj Singhvi while the prosecution will make their arguments on Tuesday.

Salman’s counsel Hasti Mal Saraswat said  the evidence submitted by the prosecution was weak  and contradictory.

It’s a concocted case against his client, he said. 

All other accused have been acquitted by the lower court, so why can’t he can be acquitted, he argued. Speaking to Deccan Herald over the phone from Jodhpur, he also objected to the report filed by the forest department. He said the department can only file a complaint under the Wild Life Protection Act so the cognisance taken in the case was illegal.

The forest department should have lodged a complaint before the court first before approaching the police, he stated.

Defences arguement
Salman’s defence lawyers Saraswat and S R Bajwa also drew attention of the court towards the statements of key witness Harish Dulani, who was held guilty of perjury by the lower court.

When the court was holding some one guilty of telling lies, how could his evidence be reliable, he questioned.

Cross-examination
And moreover, the defence was not given an opportunity to cross-examine him, he said.

The lower court in Jodhpur had held Salman Khan guilty in the 1998 Ghoda farm poaching case sentencing him to a five year term and a fine of Rs 25,000.

His co-stars Satish Shah and others were acquitted by the court. Khan had made an appeal in the district and sessions court against the order.

The final arguments by the prosecution are likely to take place on Tuesday.