Blackbuck poaching case: Mixed voices on Salman Khan's verdict

Salman KhanThe Hindi film industry erupted with outrage and concern as Salman Khan was today sentenced to five years in jail for killing endangered blackbucks with many of his colleagues stressing that the successful actor had been punished because he was a star and just a few pointing out that justice had been delivered As the 52yearold actors friends and colleagues reacted with shock over the jail term for the superstar in the 1998 poaching case director Subhash Ghai said Khan was likely to appeal to a higher courtI am extremely shocked Ghai who has worked with Khan in several films tweeted The director said he had full trust in the Indian judiciary which has many other doors for an appeal for final justice Friends started tweeting and fans began to gather outside Khans house in Galaxy Apartment Bandra soon after the verdict was announcedA police van has been stationed outside his house since the morning I dont know how to react I am numb I hope he stays strong His fans will always love him a young devotee standing outside the actors house said Khan was taken to the Jodhpur Central Jail after he was convicted of gunning down two blackbuck 20 years ago in Rajasthan where he was shooting for Hum Saath Saath Hain His costars in the film Saif Ali Khan Tabu Neelam and Sonali Bendre were acquitted in the case with the judge of the sessions court giving them the benefit of the doubtNeelams husband actordirector Samir Soni said though he was happy for his wife he believed Salman Khan had been targeted for his star status I have mixed emotions right now I am happy for Neelam and the rest It is a 20 yearold ordeal I dont know why Salman was singled out It seems his star status has come in the way Soni told PTI Many including Ghai sought to stress that Khan was a nice man He was most loved for his human reasons too Ghai tweetedActorParliamentarian Jaya Bachchan said the punishment was harsh and added that Khan had done a lot of humanitarian workI feel bad He should be given relief He has done a lot of humanitarian work she told reporters outside Parliament Actor Himani Shivpuri who played Khans aunt in the film said he was a nice individual who was near and dear to herThe judiciarys verdict however had to be respected she said adding that the blackbuck was an endangered species sacred to the Bishnoi tribe I feel if you are killing or shooting an innocent animal and it is against the law then the law has every right to pass a judgement I am saddened as Salman is a nice individual but if a nice individual commits a mistake then he should be able to bear the consequences Shivpuri told PTIActor Alok Nath Khans onscreen father in the 1999 film was more cautious in his reaction It is the honourable courts judgement so we have to take it and respect it as they have studied the case for 20 years he said Singerwriter Sona Mohapatra without taking names was sharply critical of the actor and the fraternity Sowill daddy say sorry on his behalf What will the suck ups in the industry do Whens bail Whens the next block buster release Dabangg concert tour dates Bigg Boss Charity drives she tweetedActor Arjun Rampal tweeted to say the decision seemed a bit too harsh The law takes its course Cant argue with 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 criminalI feel this is too harsh I do hope he gets the relief he deserves the actor saidFilmmaker Anil Sharma who directed Khan in Veer said he hoped the actor would soon get bailIts very disturbing Salman is my colleague we have worked together When something like this happens with your colleague you are bound to feel sad We were hopeful he wont be sentenced but now we hope he gets bail soon he told PTIActor Dalip Tahil expressed concern that only Khan was convicted while the others were all acquitted I am still trying to get my head around the decision You target himwhere is the justice in this You completely acquit the rest of the people If they were there they were also a part of the crime Tahil told a TV channelThe fan outside Khans house said he had hoped the actor would be acquitted After seeing him battle these hearings year after year we had somehow thought he would never go to jail But this is so shocking I hope he stays strong he saidAlso read Blackbuck poaching case Salman Khans lawyer issues a statementCatch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever