Salman's lawyers had once argued blackbucks died of overeating
Salman Khan has been pronounced guilty of hunting two blackbucks after 20 years. Over the years, Salman Khan's lawyers came up with numerous theories to defend him, but the one that takes the cake is this: 'blackbucks died of overeating and jumping.' That is not it. A forensic report by Dr. Nepalia even said the blackbucks died (wait for it) of dog bites.
What was written in forensic report which gave Salman clean-chit
A forensic report by Dr. Nepalia claimed the animals died of natural causes. However, Lalit Bora, former DFO with Rajasthan Forest Department, who collected evidence against Salman wasn't convinced. He had said, "He claimed that the animals had died of overeating and jumping. This was strange considering deer are known for their jumping prowess so we did not accept his report."
Report also argued animals died of dog bites
Reportedly the forensic report, conducted on October 2, 1998, once even cited dog bites as the reason for blackbucks' death. The forest department conducted another post-mortem that revealed burn marks and bullet holes in the skin. FIR was lodged against Dr. Nepalia for diluting the case.
How Salman Khan's lawyers defended him in the court today
Today, the Prosecution built its case on eye-witnesses who claimed to have seen Salman shooting the animals, as others egged on. Notably, Poonamchand Bishnoi woke his neighbor Chogaram Bishnoi and they went into the forest on a motorcycle, after the former suspected hunters. The defense claimed they could not have seen Salman in the vehicle as it was night and Poonamchand's house was far.
Guns didn't cause death: Defense fights tooth and nail
Salman's lawyer Shrikant Shivade said, "No bullet was found at the scene of offense. The microscopic examination of the skin could have confirmed the bullet wound and it was sent to forensic science laboratory but no such bullet marks were found."
Defense lawyer tries to find loopholes in witness' statements
The defense lawyer said it was 1:30 AM at night, and the headlights' of witnesses' bike focused on the road, making it impossible to identify occupants of the vehicle. He called Tabu and Sonali Bendre on the stand to identify the witnesses, and the actresses couldn't. The prosecution maintained that bullet wounds on blackbucks proved they were gunned down, but the defense tried refuting it. End of it, truth prevailed!
